Discover the modernist architecture that shapes Burien’s Downtown in walk & tour on Saturday, Sept. 28

DocomomoWeWa, a Seattle-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving modern architecture, will sponsor a talk and guided tour of Downtown Burien on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The event will spotlight the mid-20th century retail building designs and urban planning that shaped Burien’s unique architectural landscape. Participants will explore the city’s Modern-era buildings, some of which have won architectural awards for their innovative designs. These structures not only reflect the modernist architectural movement of the mid-century but also continue to accommodate a variety of contemporary stores and services.

DocomomoWeWa aims to highlight how these buildings contribute to Burien’s sense of community and urban character.

“The focus will be on the historic changes retail building design and urban planning in the mid-20th century, and how Burien’s unique Modern era buildings — some of which are award-winning designs — accommodate a wide variety of contemporary stores and services and contribute to community,” Architect Susan Boyle said.

The tour will provide an in-depth look at how retail building design evolved during the mid-1900s and how urban planning in that era created spaces that remain functional and community-centered today.

Architect Susan Boyle, a Docomomo US/WEWA Board member, and architectural historian David Peterson will give a brief presentation. The tour will start at St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, designed by Seattle architect Robert Durham and built in 1956, with a view of its sanctuary to learn about its history and award-winning design.

Susan and David will guide tour participants along SW 152nd Street, the spine of Burien’s commercial downtown to view building storefronts and retail blocks dating from the 1920s through the 1960s and learn about key mid-century modern buildings and early strip malls. The route is flat and approximately one-half mile long, one way (one mile long, roundtrip). Within an hour you will learn about and see a remarkably intact microcosm of the changes in commercial development patterns over the twentieth century, the materials that expressed new design ideas about retail stores, and the social role of downtown streets and spaces shaped by planning and development. You’ll see a vibrant collection of independently operated stores, artful retailers, cafes, and coffee shops that are housed in the low-scale buildings of “Olde Burien” and mid-century Burien. The tour will end at the original 1956 Tradewell supermarket (236 SW 152nd Street), a national AIA Merit award winning thin-shell concrete design by Los Angeles architecture firm Welton Becket & Associates. The tour will end by 1 p.m. After the tour, you’re encouraged to explore Burien on your own and enjoy the many local businesses where you can shop and eat. And there’s time to check out the “Hello Again Vintage Market” at Burien’s Town Square (400 SW 152nd Street, free, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.).

Registration

• WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. (arrive at 11 a.m. to check-in; more check-in details, parking, etc. provided after you register.)
• WHERE: St. Elizabeth Episcopal Church, Burien
• TICKETS: Registration required. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
• Cost: $5 (plus $1.79 service fee)
• CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS (you’ll be directed to Brown Paper Tickets)
• Limited capacity on the tour.

“We hope to see you in Burien on Saturday, September 28th! Rain or Shine!”

More information about the event can be found here:

https://www.docomomo-wewa.org