Minoru Yamasaki designed the Rainier complex with the primary intent of retaining as much of the site for outdoor public use as possible. Positioning the building on a pedestal located at the corner of the site achieved maximum land area for lowrise commercial development and open green area. Appearing to taper toward the ground like an inverted pyramid, the skyscraper’s 121 foot concrete base is equivalent to eleven stories. Reminiscent of a felled tree, the building has attained the nickname of “the beaver building”. The base carries the thirty two story aluminum-clad office tower on steel framing. The tower’s perimeter acts as a Vierendeel truss, transferring wind loads to the pedestal while also making the building earthquake resistant. Results of the successful completion of 3 environmental tests prior to construction proved Rainier Tower as one of Seattle’s safest buildings. (Yamasaki, Inc.)