Project: Red Lantern

Neighborhood: International District

Status: Completed in 2011

Building Type: Restaurant

Red Lantern, a new restaurant is located in the International District at 5th and Jackson in Seattle. It was selected as "Best Asian Restaurant 2011" by Seattle Met magazine.

b9 reinvented the interior, the site of a previous restaurant, creating distinct spaces that are open and relate to each other, from entry to dining, highlighted by the red lanterns in the space. The entry space presents the design approach, a series of large framed openings that create distinct areas within the interior tying with the existing structure of the 1916 building. Frosted glass partitions fit in the large framed openings, providing a degree of privacy for tables and allowing daylight to penetrate deeper into the large space.

The original historic storefront of the building, renovated in the 1980's with few windows, required the design of a new window to connect the restaurant spaces to the street and access daylight. Approval from the international District Special Review Board was required for construction. b9 specified low voc paints and finishes, natural linoleum floors and renewable bamboo plywood panels, sourced locally.