State of La Union – 2026 Mid-Summer Recap
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the Community
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.
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.
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.
CONNECT WITH US
Let’s keep building together. Follow our journey, share your ideas, or reach out if you’re ready to start a project.
Follow, share, or drop us a note. We’d love to hear from you.
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