Peter Steinbrueck AIA (BA Government cum laude Bowdoin College, MArch UW), the son of the late Victor Steinbrueck FAIA, inherited an activist tradition to which he began to add during the earliest stages of his career.
Probably few if any architects of his generation have matched the range of his achievements affecting public policy and perception relating to the urban environment and architectural practice. Peter's history as a grassroots activist includes noteworthy achievements in Seattle and Washington. He helped organize a 1985 initiative to cap the height of buildings in Seattle's downtown. Later, he spearheaded a drive which succeeded in changing Washington State law regarding architectural licensure, expanding the definition of interns' qualifying experience.
He has worked as a private citizen and now in public life on measures to sustain the historic character and function of the Pike Place Market, and has fought to save Seattle's urban parks. In 1997, Seattle voters elected Peter to the Seattle City Council in a resounding vote; and as of 2005, to two additional terms. As a Councilmember (and Council President 2002-03), he has chaired and served on key committees addressing housing, parks, cultural issues, and economic development. Peter represents the citizens of Seattle ably, using the sensibility and talent that he has learned in part from his training and his work as an architect.
Peter's knowledge and eloquence on issues relating to community design have helped achieve Seattle's recent portfolio of distinguished public buildings, including Seattle City Hall, Seattle Central Library and branch libraries – as well as to achieve policy advancing environmentally sustainable design and construction for public buildings for the City of Seattle, in an exemplary fashion. The City's leadership in green building promotion helped stimulate Washington's passage of the nation's first law requiring LEED Silver rating for public buildings, in the 2005 legislative session.
Among other local and national recognition, Peter accepted the AIA Young Architects Award in 1999, given to an architect who has shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession in an early stage of their architectural career. In 2002 Peter received the Public Sector Achievement Award from the National Alliance to End Homelessness for his commitment to reducing and preventing homelessness through systematic change.
Peter Steinbrueck AIA
References:
* 'Much at Stake,' in 'How Architects Can Become Advocates for Livable Communities,' excerpt from a 2003 AIA Seattle interview, 'In the Running'
* 'Peter Steinbrueck: He prides himself on support for Seattle homeless,' Kathy Mulady in Seattle P-I 10/29/03
