Community Tours

Concrete Ambition: The Modernist & Brutalist UW

Discover the bold, sculptural identity of the University of Washington beyond the Red Square core. This tour navigates the evolution of UW’s campus from the clean lines of mid-century modernism to the monumental strength of the Brutalist movement.  Along the way, it reveals how shifting economic conditions and changing architectural ideals influenced what was built—and how. On this tour you will see how UW Architecture grads like Paul Thiry, and Fred Bassetti left a lasting impact on their alma mater with designs that traded traditional Gothic brick for the raw, tactile power of béton brut.

Starts: At University of Washington Light Rail Station(at street level entrance to station)

Ends: McMahon Hall (tour roughly moves from UW Light Rail Station up E. Stevens Way NE)

 

BUY TICKETS

Photos: Evan Chakroff

 

 

UW Modernism tour with Seattle Architecture Foundation

Community Tours

Our Community tours start in various locations

Please review your confirmation email to ensure that you have the right address.

Tours are approximately two hours in length, unless otherwise noted. Tickets purchased in advance cost $27.50 for General Admission, $22.50 for SAF Members, and $24.50 for Students and Seniors over 65. Advance registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-ups are limited to space available and cost $30. Ticket sales close at 9:00am the morning of the tour. Online registration is handled through Bold Type Tickets. For our tour policies or to learn about booking a private tour, visit our Tours FAQ page.

Please note: A minimum of three people must be registered for tours to take place. Tours with fewer than three registered attendees on the Thursday before the tour will be cancelled. SAF may cancel tours in cases of extreme weather. We do not cancel tours due to rain. If you purchased a ticket for a cancelled tour, you have the option of transferring the ticket to a future tour date or being issued a refund.