The Tillinghast Seed Company buildings are among the oldest buildings in LaConner, WA.  The circa 1900 wood-framed commercial structures were built in the heart of downtown below the high water flood level.  The addition included an exterior wood deck built around a historic tree.  In fact, if the tree could not have been salvaged, the project would not have been constructed.  The upgrade consisted of raising the existing building floor elevation 5 feet to clear the flood plain.  The addition consisted of an exposed, elegant rafter/collar-tie system with multiple roof ridges.  Silty river bed runoff resulted in an extremely low soil bearing pressure.  Piles were virtually inconceivable because the existing structure was to remain intact, and the required pile depth was prohibitive.  Additionally, the roots of the historic tree could only be disturbed as approved by an arborist.  The solution was a floating grade beam and stem wall system with flexibility to adjust points of contact with the soil.

Architect: Baylis Architects