In 2008, the congregation of Bethany Presbyterian Church elected to pursue a voluntary seismic and energy retrofit of its historic campus. Because the 1929 sanctuary, bell tower, and education wing are collectively designated as a Seattle landmark, the Seattle Landmarks Preservations Board had to review and approve all proposed exterior work. SMR worked closely with the congregation, structural engineer and general contractor to conceal required structural components within wall and ceiling cavities to maintain the overall historic appearance of the buildings. Seismic upgrade work included bracing two unreinforced masonry chimneys, the bell tower parapet, and decorative cast stone elements; deconstruction and reassembly of one of the tower buttresses to conceal a new concrete shear wall; and installation of new plywood sheathing, ventilated insulation panels, and new roofing.
