State of La Union Newsletter - May 2024 Recap
Dear La Union Studio extended community,
What a month May turned out to be! As we welcome the warm days of June, we find ourselves reflecting on the journey that has brought us here. Our perseverance and success is built on the unwavering support of our incredible community, and we are profoundly grateful for each one of you. Your trust and enthusiasm fuel our passion for creating spaces that inspire, innovate and bring people together.
This month, we continue to embark on exciting projects old and new, that promise to push the envelope of creativity and authentic beauty. We are eager to share our progress and take on new challenges, and we invite you to join us in this next chapter of growth. Together, we will continue to shape the future of design in Seattle.
Warmly,
Sonia-Lynn + Sergio Max
Founders of La Union Studio
IN THIS NEWSLETTER…
- La Union Studio’s Residential Portfolio is Growing
- Tenant Improvement Fund Launch + Info Session
- Partner Spotlights: Noble Neon + Northwest Tap Connection
- Project Spotlight: Ayala Coffee, Union, New Jersey
- In the Community
- AANHPI Month Kickoff with NOMAS UW Panel
- City of Seattle Capital Consultant Connection Open House
- NOMAS UW X La Union Studio Firm Tour
- Sergio Max Spotlight Cultural Space Agency Governing Council
- Connect With Us!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our Residential Portfolio is Growing
In addition to our robust commercial portfolio, La Union Studio has been steadily growing its residential offerings and services! This summer, we’ll be breaking ground on a two exciting residential projects in Seattle, a ground-up single family home for a multi-generational family in Beacon Hill, and a completely barrier-free Accessory Dwelling Unit on an existing property in the Wedgwood neighborhood. While showcasing our expertise in creating unique, personalized homes and living spaces, these project reflect our commitment to blending innovative design with the charm of our beloved communities in Seattle. If you or you know someone who wants to learn more about how to maximize their property, get in touch with our team! Begin the process by completing our project intake form below!
TI Fund Info Session
Are you a small business owner looking for support to open or enhance your commercial space? Seattle’s Office of Economic Development has launched the Tenant Improvement Program to assist entrepreneurs at critical stages of development. Join us for an information session on Tuesday, June 18, at 6 PM at La Union Studio’s headquarters: 2816 S McClellan St, Seattle, WA 98144. Learn more about this valuable funding opportunity and get your questions answered.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Noble Neon
Partner
Noble Neon, nestled in the heart of Seattle, WA, is a boutique neon shop. This mom-and-pop business specializes in transforming noble gases, glass, and electricity into stunning neon creations, ranging from signage to interior lighting and sculptural pieces. La Union Studio is proud to continue to partner with Noble Neon on its commercial projects.
Northwest Tap Connection
Partner
Northwest Tap Connection is A Race & Social Justice Oriented Studio Connecting Dance Across Communities. Their mission is inclusive of providing quality dance and job opportunities to under-served communities and also to raise a generation of socially conscious artists who produce work that fosters change.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Ayala Coffee - Coming Soon
Ayala Coffee, the first Filipino coffee shop to open in New Jersey, serves blended, authentic flavors inspired by Filipino desserts, including ube (purple yam), leche flan (crème caramel pudding), cassava (nutty-flavored vegetable) and buko pandan (coconut and pandan-flavored jelly).
Trixie Jose and husband Matthew Reyes have long dreamed of creating a safe space for people to gather and enjoy Filipino food and drinks. The couple, who were both raised in New Jersey, was inspired by the large and tight-knit Filipino community in Seattle, where they discovered a thriving Filipino coffee shop, Hood Famous Cafe and Bar. The pair started the coffee business with a pop-up cart in October 2021, in the midst of the pandemic.
Fast forward 3 years later and Ayala Coffee will be growing and opening into its first brick and mortar in the Union township of New Jersey, with the help of La Union Studio’s design prowess from across the country, the studio’s first project on the East Coast.
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IN THE COMMUNITY
NOMAS UW Panel
May was a month to celebrate Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Month, and La Union Studio kicked it off with a bang! Our very own Principal, Sonia-Lynn Abenojar, participated as one of the panelists in an amazing event hosted by NOMAS UW and the AAPI Design Alliance—“Reclaimed Narratives: Reflections of the Asian American Experience in Architecture and Design.” She shared her experiences in various design disciplines and reflected on past and present stories alongside other design professionals.
City of Seattle Capital Consultant Connection Open House
La Union Studio participated in the City of Seattle Capital Consultant Connection open house earlier this month. We introduced ourselves and shared our work with various municipal departments within the city and met some awesome primes, vendors, and contractors. We also handed out our brand-new capability statements! Thanks for this chance to network and the opportunity to introduce ourselves to others.
NOMAS UW x La Union Studio Firm Tour
We are proud to participate in the "Making & Taking Up Space: Dismantling the Model Minority Myth" event series, hosted by NOMAS UW. This event features tours of Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AA+NH/PI) owned design firms, and La Union Studio is honored to be one of the featured studios. Last month, we opened our studio for architecture students at UW’s College of Built Environments, engaging in meaningful discussions with participants and sharing our vision and expertise.
Sergio Max Spotlight | Cultural Space Agency’s Governing Council President
The Cultural Space Agency is a mission-driven, values-based cultural real estate development company chartered by the City of Seattle. It secures long-term affordable commercial cultural space with community partners, builds community wealth through direct investment in real property, creates opportunities for ownership of commercial cultural space, takes these actions in partnership with our rich and diverse cultural communities, with a particular focus on the needs of Black and Indigenous communities.
As President of the Governing Council, La Union Studio principal Sergio Legon-Talamoni, is dedicated to promoting cultural spaces throughout the city upholding the cultural ecosystems of Seattle. Through this appointment and platform, he aims to use his influence to help steward resources to arts-based organizations fill our city with vibrant arts and cultural spaces.
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