World War II Opens New Doors: The needs of wartime construction dictated quick, simple, inexpensive, unadorned buildings that used as little as possible of scarce materials such as metal, lumber, and glass.

Post-War Population and the Building Boom: As conditions adjusted and a period of economic prosperity replaced one of austerity, construction blossomed in several arenas around the state.

International Style, Northwest Regional Style: The characteristics of the Northwest Regional style included wood-frame construction, asymmetrical facades, an open floor plan, generous use of windows and a low-slung silhouette that aimed to integrate the building to its environment.

Roads to Freeways; Building and Land Preservation: The construction of multi-lane highways and interstate freeways reoriented both the landscape and the state’s economy.

Modernism, Post-Modernism, Regionalism: Designs for commercial, office, and industrial buildings became increasingly bland and functional during the last quarter of the twentieth century rarely acknowledging regional differences in design, impact of climate, or availability of local materials.