Marking Milestones

1994

A VISION FOR A NEW TYPE OF ENGINEERING FIRM 
Jim Coughlin, Steve Porter and Terry Lundeen set out to create an engineering firm that provided superior quality, exceptional service and innovative designs. Coughlin Porter Lundeen was born!

1995

STARBUCKS HEADQUARTERS
We provide a full seismic retrofit to the former, 1.8 million square foot Sears Catalogue Distribution building. Home to Starbucks, it proved the firm’s first big break, and the beginning of a more than 25-year relationship between Coughlin Porter Lundeen, Daniels Real Estate and Starbucks. In coming years, we’d team up to complete nearly 100 projects.

1996

ESTABLISH A COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
Since day one, Coughlin Porter Lundeen prioritizes giving back. Mary’s Place, which empowers homeless women, children and families to reclaim their lives, was one of our first nonprofit partnerships. Today we continue to emphasize giving, and our relationship with Mary’s Place has evolved to include volunteer days, donation drives and even our own Charity Poker Tournament.

1997

BUILDING MUNICIPAL PARTNERSHIPS 
Coughlin Porter Lundeen continues to make a name for itself in Seattle. We emphasize relationship building, project passion, and flawless, quality work. Our work on countless schools, libraries, fire stations, and civic spaces eventually touches nearly every county in the state.

2001

THE NISQUALLY EARTHQUAKE
One of the largest earthquakes in our area, the Nisqually Earthquake changes the way the Pacific Northwest region approaches seismic design. Partners, clients, and municipalities lean on our expertise and quick response in the aftermath.

The event further establishes our team’s seismic design credibility and strengthens our working relationships as we respond and rebuild together. Today, our portfolio, referrals, and repeat client rate, are a testament to those early years.

Within our walls, we not only make sure, but contribute to the continuous development of life safety code.

2005

TECH GIANTS MOVE IN
Partnering on more than 100 individual projects – beginning with renovation projects in 1994 and continuing beyond the West Campus expansion in 2005 – we’re instrumental in Microsoft’s regional expansion. Currently, we’re working on the largest expansion project in Microsoft’s history and our firm’s most substantial project to date.

2007

HIGHER EDUCATION ADAPTS
Priorities shift for higher education spaces, and flexibility and efficiency are key. Our designs emphasize high design spaces that integrate natural and built environments. We’re excited and challenged by sustainability priorities, sophisticated learning spaces, and the growth of experiential learning requirements.

2008

DESTINY AND RENEWAL
Multi-unit residential projects transform Seattle’s downtown. Engineering for multi-family projects continues to balance fast-track schedules with the complexities of urban infill design, and high-density goals with modern spaces.

Simultaneously, commercial office construction skyrockets post-recession, propelling a development scene that forever changes the Seattle landscape.

2010

OFFICE ENVIRONMENTS AND URBAN CAMPUSES
Amazon.com garners national attention for their vision of an urban campus and our team is instrumental in bringing that vision to life. From streetscape design to structural innovations, we’re privileged to help Amazon revitalize South Lake Union and reimagine what office environments can be.

Other major tenants, tech companies, and Fortune 500 companies have flocked to the area, too. We’ve helped Nintendo, Google, Facebook and Apple all set up home here.

2015

A CITY EXPANDING
As Seattle’s population continues to grow, so does the development wave. To continue supporting our clients and partners, and their increasingly complex programs, we’ve doubled the number of team members in the last decade. Jim, Terry and Steve’s boutique firm is now more than 100 strong. As our team grows, we’re intentional about fostering a company culture that is wholly invested in the success of our staff, clients, and community.

2017

INTRODUCING THE RED LINE
We launch our own online publication: The Red Line. Written entirely in-house, each edition is a collection of news, perspectives and industry topics and allows us to lead conversations and connect with clients and partners in a unique way.

2020

LOOKING FORWARD
Jim, Steve and Terry’s small startup company is now more than 100 strong and one of the most reputable firms in the region. More than 25 years later, the founders’ vision continues to serve as our cornerstone, guiding all that we do.

We strive to not only provide exceptional designs and service, but redefine the role of a traditional engineer and help shape the Pacific Northwest in the years to­­­ come.

We’re dedicated to making Coughlin Porter Lundeen a great place to work, to building careers, and to achieving success, together. Learn about current opportunities here.