Miller|Hull Partnership, The:
Public Works
Miller|Hull Partnership, The

Our popular 2001 monograph Miller|Hull: Architects of the Pacific Northwest introduced the world to the work of architects David Miller and Robert Hull. Their energy-conscious designs, love of local materials, and structural expressiveness helped define the essence of a new and exciting type of contemporary regionalism in American architecture—the Pacific Northwest style. For these two Peace Corps veterans, that includes a serious commitment to a socially responsible and humane public architecture. The award-winning work featured in TheMiller|Hull: Partnership: Public Works challenges the notion that public buildings must be mundane in appearance or functionality.

Seventy percent of the firm's projects involve public funding. Their 2005 renovation of the University of Washington's Conibear Shellhouse in their hometown, Seattle exemplifies their architectural ethos. The site, once on the edge of a city dump, is surrounded by newly restored wetlands with pathways that link to an existing nature walk, providing public access to the shoreline. This same ethos is in their nine-story high-rise condominium built on a small lot in the revitalized River North district of Chicago. It also extends to the structure of their practice, with their close collaboration with consultants, communities, owners, and artists. TheMiller|Hull: Partnership: Public Works features photographs, renderings, and project plans representing diverse building typologies—schools, nature centers, community centers, mixed-use buildings, laboratories, corporate offices, and high-rise residences. These projects are the best demonstration of how the Miller|Hull Partnership brings life, personality, and warmth to public architecture.


Founding partners David Miller and Robert Hull, both raised in Washington State, have explored the development of two dominant themes in America's western regional architecture: the need to establish a defined place within the landscape and the art of rational building. In 29 years and with over $200 million worth of completed projects, our work base is composed of a diverse assortment of project types - from neighborhood park structures to a $54 million laboratory and classroom building. Miller|Hull specializes in projects such as schools, higher education facilities, nature centers, community centers, mixed use buildings, laboratories and corporate offices. In addition, we are noted for the design of innovative and affordable residences.
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Editorial Reviews

Arch Daily:
"I had to say that I wasnt aware of the work by the Miller Hull Partnership, a Seattle based firm established in 1977, until we received this book from Princeton Architectural Press. The book, a sequel to the 2001 monograph by the same publishing house, shows a selection of recent projects in a good format, with clear drawings and good photos.The projects cover both residential and public works, such as the Willamette River Water Treatment Plant a wonderful project, which doubles as a park with picnic areas. The rest of the works of the firm have a clear signature when it comes to materials and structural solutions, with transparency as something in common. I recommend this book for both its clear presentation and the quality of the works by the firm." — Sebastian J (December 23, 2009)

re:place Magazine:
"...an impressive collection of projects, as delivered in an equally impressive monograph, exhibiting the nature centres, community centres, administration buildings, power plant facilities, and urban residential lofts that have represented a significant percentage of the work being done by their office in its most recent years... this new Princeton Architectural publication provide us with a glimpse into the world of one of the many vibrant architectural practices of the Pacific Northwest, and a model of how architecture can be locally responsive to material and climate, while providing environmentally responsible solutions to public building programs." — Sean Ruthen (March 3, 2010)

Architecture Week:
"As a reinvention of the urban housing model, the Miller Hull team envisioned a simpler unified form that came down and engaged the street with substantial glazing. This would allow the lifestyles of the occupants to create the project's sense of style. To accomplish this, the building became an image of structural architecture, conveying a sense of economy, efficiency, discipline, and order." (August 1st, 2009)

Book News Inc.:
"This volume profiles 12 public buildings designed by the Miller Hull Partnership the Pacific Northwest architectural firm founded in 1977 by David Miller and Bob Hull that is known for its approach to sustainable design and the integration and visibility of building systems, energy, material, and landscape. The volume is copiously illustrated with color photographs and other illustrations." (February 2010)

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