Our Process

Hillclimb Court is a mixed-use project, designed by Olson Kundig Architect. It was built in 1980 to be a visual and physical limb between the Seattle Waterfront and Pike Place Market. Two historic and popular attractions on the south end of downtown Seattle. The award-winning design featured an inner quiet place, a common courtyard for residents of Hillclimb. One of the main features was an attention commanding backlit glass block wall that transforms the retail component into a lantern lighting up the city night space.

Recently the glass block was reaching its product life cycle. The owners retained SHKS Architects, a local Seattle firm, to oversee the updating of the large glass block wall feature. They determined that a rebuild with additional steel tiebacks created the same stunning appearance, yet allowing for more independent movement of each panel in the wall. It would create a similar, if not enhanced performance of the wall for their client.

They reached out to a well-established local masonry company, R & D masonry to assist and oversee the project. R & D comes with competencies ranging from large commercial to upscale residential and restoration. They called GBA Architectural Products + Services team to collaborate on some aspects of the project. Through fruitful conversation, a trust was developed and an accord reached to team up on the job.

The end result, through months of planning and coordination, was a complete rebuild. GBA installed thousands of fluted glass block mimicking the original glass block laid in a stack band. New ventilators were integrated into the walls to facilitate air movement to the retail spaces within. Extra tiebacks and engineering were done to allow greater independent movement of the glass block from surrounding substitutes and adjoining parcels. GBA completed the entire project without disturbing the activity of the retail space and bustle of the city undisturbed.

Architect
SHKS Architects
Customer
R&D Masonry
Owner
Hillclimb Court Association of Apartment Owners
Product
8" x 8" x 4" ARUGUS® & 8" x 8" x 4" Vue Glass Block

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Hillclimb Court Hillclimb Court

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What Customers Say

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"Work was done very professionally with outstanding quality.  Your crews were very attentive to detail & made sure to protect surrounding work surfaces from damage.  They communicated well with my field team to ensure we & the Owner were satisfied with the end product.  Job well done." - Russell Stafford, RNGD A Palmisano Company

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"We were lucky to have GBA on our project at Lutheran East High School. From the front office to the field supervision and crew were very knowledgeable with our project. Took extra care not to damage the building during demolition. The quality of materials and their labor force was top-notch." — Peter Powell, Carey Construction Group

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"We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the glass block at Lutheran East High School and have received many compliments on the design. The glass block windows give the building a nice “pop” of color on the exterior each side of the gym and helped to maintain the identity of the school." - Rick Jozity, Meraki Architects, L.L.C 

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"I saw the final glass block wall in person and it really is a work of art. We are so grateful for your team’s hard work on this." – Crister Cantrell, Gensler

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"As the Senior Project Manager for the general contracting company responsible for completing all aspects of the historical restoration, structural rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse modifications to the derelict Triboro tuberculosis hospital, one of the most difficult challenges was finding capable and qualified subcontractors for the key restoration trades that are both committed to quality construction and respectful of the historical restoration process.  I am lucky enough to have worked with GBA on previous successful projects and was glad to bring them into this project.  GBA provided the essential expertise and quality craftsmanship that this project needed and was a reliable partner helping us convert the Triboro Tuberculosis Hospital into the T Building Residence." – Senior Project Manager, Bill Harwood for the GC, Mega Contracting

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"On behalf of me, my project manager and CGC; I would like to reach out to applaud the quality and workmanship of the crew sent out to do the glass block wall outside of the theater here in Hudson. Dan and Nate went above and beyond to keep their work area organized and clean, even protected our finish trim and VWC in the mixing area with plastic. If only more companies active on site would follow in your companies steps these buildings would be cut and dry and run very efficiently. Thank you! - Jake M. Behler, Cameron General Contractors