Before the construction phase even began, the team at PCI Seattle partnered with Skanska USA and VIA Architecture on the 31-story Kaye Apartment Tower project in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood by providing design-assist services and scheduling support, especially to help address the challenges of the building’s enclosure system.
The team needed to complete exterior framing, sheathing, and weather barrier installation during the winter months to maintain schedule. Compounding this challenge was limited site access, with adjacent buildings located approximately one foot from the slab edge on the north and south elevations.
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Skanska USA
Pre-Construction Services, Prefabrication, Metal Stud & Drywall, Fireproofing, Commercial Insulation, Scaffolding
To address the schedule and access constraints, PCI helped finalize the design of prefabricated exterior panels using BIM software and then utilized its prefabrication facility to build the panels, limiting the impact of the weather while improving quality control and jobsite safety. This prefab process also streamlined installation and enabled more-efficient sequencing in the tight conditions.
Prefabricated panels were delivered to the site with sheathing and weather barriers already applied. Once installed and the tower enclosed, the PCI crew would complete a long list of other scopes on the building, including interior metal stud framing, gypsum board assemblies, firestopping, fireproofing, thermal insulation, and the application of spray-applied acoustic insulation. Additional scopes included install of hollow metal door jambs and access doors, fire extinguishers and extinguisher cabinets.
The Kaye building—named after the famous Kaye-Smith Studio (aka Bad Animals Studio, Studio X) that once sat at the same site—was completed in Summer 2025, and features 324 units, including 10 three-bedroom family units and 6,100 SF of neighborhood “living room” spaces and ground-floor retail.
The Kaye Apartment project is targeting LEED Gold, Salmon-Safe, WiredScore Gold and Fitwel certifications. The building was also named 2026 NWCB Outstanding Project in the Exterior Residential category.