Jeffrey Ochsner's introductory chapter summarizes the main currents of Seattle's architectural history, relating it both to the city's history and to national and international trends in architecture. Three special essays, focusing on the region's Native American architecture; on the impact of pattern books, plan books, and periodicals; and on "vernacular" and "popular" architecture - ordinary structures often built without the participation of professional designers - are valuable additions to the book.

Only architects no longer actively practicing are included in the individual profiles, but an appendix providing over eighty thumbnail sketches of additional significant Seattle architects and the works for which they are most noted does include recent AIA-Seattle Medal winners. Non-Seattle architects who designed major Seattle structures are listed separately. Another appendix lists the extant buildings mentioned in the text, along with their current names and addresses, including buildings across the Northwest and elsewhere.

Sections on sources of information and on researching Seattle architecture provide suggestions for finding out more about a particular architect, building, or project.

Seattle's growth has been remarkable; from a population of only 3,500 in 1880 the city grew to over 500,000 in 1990, and the Puget Sound region exploded to a population of nearly three million. Shaping Seattle Architecture: A Historical Guide to the Architects focuses on those whose designs shaped the physical form of the city and region.

Forty-five generously illustrated profiles of architects and firms provide an overview of Seattle's architectural history as well as a handy reference guide to the life and work of these designers.