Newsletter

State of La Union – 2026 Mid-Summer Recap

Sonia-Lynn + Sergio Max, Founders, La Union Studio

Greetings Community!

It's been a little while since we last landed in your inbox — winter, in fact — and the seasons since have been full ones for our studio. This mid-summer stretch has been a reminder that design is never just about buildings. It's about the people, the culture, and the communities that shape the spaces we create.

From celebrating a grand opening years in the making, to handing over the keys on a new home in West Seattle, this season has reflected the full breadth of what thoughtful design can accomplish. Whether it's welcoming travelers with a true taste of the Pacific Northwest at Sea-Tac airport, helping a family write a new chapter close to home, or shaping a neighborhood gathering place where wine and good company meet, each project continues to reinforce our belief that spaces hold stories.

Beyond the work itself, we've been grateful to spend time in community — connecting with fellow designers, students, and future leaders through conversations about identity, representation, and belonging in the built environment. Moments like these remind us why we do this work, and who we do it for.

Thank you for continuing to be part of this journey with us.

Warmly,

Sonia-Lynn + Sergio Max

Founders, La Union Studio

In This Newsletter

Project Spotlight
- Nanny’s BBQ
- North Admiral DADU
Client Spotlight
- NBHD Wine Bar
In the Community
- FilAm sa CBE Panel + Open House
Connect With Us

Project Spotlights

Nanny’s BBQ – SEA Central Concourse

A New Gateway to Seattle

The opening of the Central Concourse Expansion at SEA (formerly Sea-Tac Airport) marks an exciting new chapter for one of the Pacific Northwest's busiest international gateways. We're honored to have contributed to this transformative project through the design of Nanny's BBQ, a new dining destination that welcomed thousands of travelers from around the world, including visitors arriving for the FIFA World Cup.

The Nanny's BBQ storefront seen from across the concourse at SEA airport, with its name on a sign above the entrance, an orange brick facade, digital menu boards, and a sweeping timber ceiling and escalators to the left.

Designing a Sense of Place

Nanny's BBQ is rooted in family traditions, Filipino cultural influences, and the spirit of Northwest hospitality. Our goal was to create more than a restaurant. We wanted to design a space that reflects the identity, personality, and story behind the brand while giving travelers an authentic taste of Seattle through both the dining experience and the built environment.

The bar at Nanny's BBQ, with arched orange-tiled vaults over backlit bottle shelving, two televisions, teal metal bar stools along a tiled counter, and cafe tables with teal chairs in the foreground.

The order area at Nanny's BBQ: a stainless steel service counter, a wall of orange brick tile, digital menu screens, a beverage station, and a slatted wood ceiling overhead. — [new-row]

A quieter seating nook at Nanny's BBQ with pink upholstered banquettes, small tables and teal chairs, a patterned dark tile feature wall, and a curved window looking out to the airfield. — [row]

A wide view down the length of Nanny's BBQ, showing the patterned tile floor, rows of teal chairs and tables, the bar counter with under-lit tile, and the arched timber-lined ceiling above.

A Milestone for Our Studio

For La Union Studio, this project represents an important milestone in our continued growth. Opportunities to shape the built environment at this scale are made possible through trust, collaboration, and an incredible team of partners. We're deeply grateful to Max Heigh, LeeAnn Subelbia, the Port of Seattle, our consultants, contractors, and everyone who helped bring this vision to life. We're proud of what was built, but even more grateful for the people who made it possible.

Project Team

Client: Heigh Connects + Nanny's BBQ
Owner's Representative: Falkin Associates
Design Architect: La Union Studio
Architect of Record: Mancini Duffy
Structural Engineer: DCI Engineers
Mechanical / Plumbing Engineer: HVAC Double Check
Electrical Engineer: EBD Services
Fire Protection Engineer: Bogard | Pascua
Equipment Consultant: Bargreen Ellingson
Signage: Noble Neon Studio
General Contractor: Wilcox Construction
Photography: Project Remark

Learn More!

North Admiral DADU

Unlocking Opportunity at Home

As housing needs continue to evolve across the Seattle region, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and detached accessory dwelling units (DADUs) are creating new opportunities for homeowners to invest in their properties while contributing to a more diverse housing supply.

This recently completed DADU in West Seattle is a great example. Situated on a unique lot with both street frontage and alley access, our clients recognized the opportunity to renovate their existing home while adding a detached residence that expands the property's long-term flexibility and value. The result is a light-filled, thoughtfully designed home that feels welcoming, efficient, and intentionally connected to the character of the neighborhood.

The completed North Admiral detached accessory dwelling unit: a two-story home with white horizontal siding and a warm wood-clad center bay, a dark garage door, paver driveway, and a horizontal cedar fence, under a clear blue sky.

Designing for the Future

Whether it's creating rental income, housing for family members, a home office, or increasing long-term property value, ADUs and DADUs continue to be one of the most impactful investments available to homeowners, developers, and small-scale investors. As local housing policies evolve, these projects are becoming an increasingly important part of Seattle's housing future.

At La Union Studio, we help clients navigate the entire process, from evaluating what's possible on a property to design, permitting, and construction. If you've been wondering whether your property has the potential for an ADU, DADU, or a broader redevelopment strategy, we'd love to help you explore the possibilities.

The DADU kitchen with pale wood lower cabinets, light grey uppers, white stone counters and backsplash, a stainless range and dishwasher, and a window above the sink looking onto greenery.

Is Your Property Next?

As Seattle's housing landscape continues to evolve, ADUs and DADUs are becoming one of the most practical ways to increase property value, create housing flexibility, and generate long-term income. Every property presents its own opportunities, and thoughtful planning is the key to unlocking its full potential.

Whether you're a homeowner exploring your options, a developer evaluating a site, or an investor looking to maximize an existing property, our team would love to help you understand what's possible.

Book A Consultation With Us!

A walk-in shower with large-format cream tile, a sliding glass door and brushed brass fixtures and hardware, a recessed niche, and daylight from a skylight above. — [new-row]

A double vanity with pale wood drawers and brass pulls, a white stone counter, two arched mirrors, brass faucets, and slender pendant lights hanging on either side. — [row]

Client Spotlights

NBHD Wine & Market

Designed for Connection

Magnolia Village recently welcomed a new gathering place with the opening of NBHD Wine & Market, a thoughtfully curated neighborhood wine bar and market centered around connection, discovery, and community.

Inspired by years spent exploring intimate wine bars and family-owned wineries in White Salmon, Washington, owners Teddi and Patrick envisioned a space where neighbors could slow down over a glass of wine, discover local products, and enjoy the kind of welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to linger.

Bringing a Vision to Life

La Union Studio had the pleasure of supporting the project through concept development, space planning, and building permit procurement. It has been incredibly rewarding to watch a long-held vision evolve from an idea into a place that now serves the Magnolia community.

One of our favorite parts of this work is partnering with passionate business owners to translate their ideas into spaces that reflect their identity, strengthen neighborhood business districts, and create lasting places for people to gather. If you're in Magnolia, we encourage you to stop by NBHD Wine & Market for thoughtfully curated wines, artisan goods, sandwiches, and a warm neighborhood experience.

The bar at NBHD Wine & Market: black leather stools along a tiled counter with a wood top, a black metal shelving unit holding rows of wine bottles and hanging glassware, plants above, and white schoolhouse pendant lights beneath exposed timber beams.

Supporting Local Businesses

Projects like NBHD Wine & Market are a reminder of why we love partnering with entrepreneurs and small business owners. Behind every storefront is a story, a dream, and years of dedication. It's a privilege to help translate those ideas into spaces that not only reflect a brand's identity, but also create places where people gather, connect, and build community.

As Magnolia continues to grow, we're excited to see NBHD Wine & Market become part of the neighborhood's fabric. If you're in the area, stop in, enjoy a glass of wine, explore their thoughtfully curated market, and support a local business that's bringing people together one conversation at a time.

A detail of the restroom at NBHD Wine & Market, with dark floral block-print wallpaper on a warm gold ground and a fluted glass wall sconce casting a soft glow. — [new-row]

A covered patio with a long wood table and black bentwood chairs, a sliding barn door, string lights overhead, and a wall hung with woven baskets and a patterned textile. — [row]

Sonia-Lynn Takes the Fil-Am sa CBE Stage

Bayanihan in Blueprint

This summer, our co-founder Sonia-Lynn Abenojar joined an inspiring group of Filipino and Filipino American architects, designers, planners, and builders for Bayanihan in Blueprint, a speaker panel hosted by Fil-Am sa CBE at the University of Washington's College of Built Environments.

The conversation explored how culture, identity, and lived experience shape the way we practice architecture, planning, and design. At La Union Studio, we believe representation matters. By showing up, sharing our experiences, and creating space for honest conversations, we hope to inspire emerging professionals and help cultivate a built environment that better reflects the communities it serves.

Five panelists seated on a low wooden stage in front of a plywood backdrop bearing the University of Washington W, one speaking into a handheld microphone, during the Fil-Am sa CBE panel.

Opening Our Doors

Following the panel, we had the pleasure of welcoming members of Fil-Am sa CBE to our Mount Baker studio for a behind-the-scenes look at our practice. We shared our journey as founders, discussed projects spanning residential, commercial, and community-focused work, and offered an honest perspective on the realities of building an architecture and design studio.

Supporting emerging professionals is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back to the profession. We're grateful for opportunities like these to mentor the next generation, share what we've learned, and continue building a stronger, more connected design community.

A large group of students and studio members gathered for a group photo behind a stone-topped table spread with design books and material samples, in front of shelves displaying objects, artwork, and books at the Mount Baker studio.

Building the Future Together

Meaningful communities don't happen by chance. They are shaped by people who are willing to share their knowledge, open doors for others, and invest in the next generation. Whether speaking on a panel, hosting students in our studio, or simply making ourselves available for conversation, we believe these moments help strengthen both our profession and the communities we serve.

As our studio continues to grow, we're committed to creating opportunities that inspire emerging architects, designers, planners, and builders to pursue meaningful careers and lead with purpose. We look forward to continuing these conversations and supporting the future of the built environment, one relationship at a time.