Seattle architect Richard Bouillon had a short-lived career as a Modernist designer when he died unexpectedly at the age of 45 in 1973. Born on September 27, 1927 in Seattle, Bouillon was the son of a well-known mechanical engineer, Lincoln Bouillon, and attended the private Lakeside School. Upon graduation in 1945, he joined the U.S. Army and remained with the military through 1947. After being discharged he enrolled at the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1952.

After receiving his architectural license on August 20, 1954, he joined the architectural firm of Decker, Christenson & Kitchin (1957). Two years later he decided to open his own practice – Richard Bouillon & Associates. His early practice focused mainly on remodels and small retail projects, however his talent was soon recognized and he began to receive larger commission.  Notable projects included an addition to the University of Washington’s 1909 Engineering Annex (1961); Jean Hall’s Women’s Apparel Shop (1962); the Plaza of Flags at the Seattle World’s Fair (1962); a vacation home for the L.F. Christofferson family on Whidbey Island (1963); and Lincoln First Savings & Loan (1963) in Kent.

In 1963 he formed a brief partnership with fellow University of Washington classmate, Joseph Williams. The firm, known as Bouillon & Williams, most notable project is the cylindrical-shaped Crescent Apartments in Seattle’s Rainier Valley which was recognized with an award in 1963 from Practical Builder magazine. Other work under the partnership included the Park Villa Apartments in Seattle (1964); and a B.F. Goodrich Co. Store (1964) in Rainier Valley. For unknown reasons Williams left the firm after a year, and Bouillon returned to private practice.

Projects during this period in his career included a unique, u-shape, single-story office complex for the Rudy Simone Construction Company in Seattle’s Rainier Valley (1967) where Bouillon leased an office; the Harris Ford Auto Agency (1965) in Lynnwood; the M.F. Patterson Dental Supply Co. Building (1965); a remodel for the Klopfenstein’s Clothier (1966); the Olympic Mercury Dealership (1967); the headquarters building for the Olivetti Underwood Corporation (1967); and Robinson & Lyon Ford Dealership (1968) in Renton.

With new commissions flooding into the office, in 1968 he took on another partner, Harry Rich, and the name of the practice was changed to Richard Bouillon & Company. During this time, the office had a wide variety of commercial work, which included a number of banks, auto showrooms and service facilities, office and retail buildings, warehouses, and shopping centers. Notable later projects include the Washington Mutual Savings Bank in Renton (1968); Sunset Electric Co. Building in Bellevue (1968); a Wigwam Store in Redmond (1968); the Lynnwood Industrial Center (1969); Overlake Park Shopping Center (1969); the Sahalee Country Club in Redmond (1969); a fountain and alterations to University Chevrolet dealership at Northeast 45th Street and Roosevelt Streets (1969, Seattle AIA citation); the Shoreline West Executive Suite Office Building (1970); the Fairwood Shopping Center (1970); Puget Sound Mutual Savings Bank in Burien (1970), and the Lynnwood Branch (1970, with Chester Lindsey); the Northshore School District Pool in Bothell (1971); Redmond City Hall (1971); the Evergreen Inn (1971), conference/hotel complex in Olympia; the Northgate Branch of Washington Mutual Savings Bank (1971); and the Totem Lake Shopping Center in Kirkland (1973). The firm also completed the master plan for the residential development of Hartstene Island in Mason County (1970).

After Rich decided to leave the firm in 1972 to start his own practice, the firm continued as Richard Bouillon & Associates.  However Bouillon passed away suddenly in July 1973. Reportedly at the time, the firm had work on the boards in seven western states including Alaska. Bouillon’s employees continued to operate under the Richard Bouillon & Associates name until 1978. Projects included additional structures at Totem Lake Shopping Center; a warehouse complex for Van Waters & Rogers in Kent (1974); and the Courtyard Shopping Center (Overlake Village) in Redmond (1974). Eventually the firm evolved into another Seattle firm – Lance Mueller & Associates.

– Michael C Houser