Architecture Hall, University of Washington, Seattle
A beautiful but faded building has regained its significance, learning environments are revitalized, and our faculty and staff now enjoy healthy work environments.
John Palewicz
Director of Strategic Programs, University of Washington
Architecture Hall, University of Washington, Seattle
Seattle, Washington
48,000 SF
Client Notes
Revitalize the interior of Architecture Hall while respecting its grand exterior and historical significance as one of the few surviving buildings from the 1909 Alaskan-Yukon Pacific Expo. Encourage interaction and foster discovery in the Architecture Department through studio and collaborative spaces where students can freely explore. The building also requires critical seismic upgrades, accessibility improvements, and updates of all major building systems.
Designer Notes
Due to its lean budget, this project was an exercise in finding efficiencies and exposing the natural beauty of the existing building. We chose to leave studio spaces raw, exposing the building's 'bones' as much as possible, and giving architecture students a true connection to their building's structure. By removing inaccessible mezzanine restrooms, we created an entirely new light-filled meeting and pin-up space that showcases the masonry and terra cotta facades of the historic building. Careful restoration of the central cast iron stair brought life back to the only original interior component to have survived prior remodels, and uncovering existing skylights in the studios improved natural lighting conditions while revealing more of the building. Sustainability strategies throughout the building focused on light, air, and the creation of healthy interiors.
People
Andrew Schilling / Amie Bates / Charles Dorn
Jonah Cohen, Design Principal
Becca Cavell, Project Manager
