2024 West Region Conference – Cultural Crossroads in Education: Ruth Baleiko
The extensive use of wood – exposed wood beams, fir decking, and cedar cladding – recall typical Scandanavian materiality, while connecting the building to its place in the forested Pacific Northwest.excerpt from The Miller Hull Partnership - Public Works book
This remote branch campus of a larger regional system was designed as a “Campus in the Forest” providing a strong connection to its natural setting for a largely commuter student population.
By straddling an existing 20-foot high rift running through the site, the building connects an upper and lower campus and establishes a spine that sets the framework for future growth. The building responds to the climate of the Pacific Northwest through the use of large glazed walls that extend to the natural environment. Exterior materials wrap inside the building, expressing the building organization and strengthening the indoor/outdoor relationship.
The design process included close civic interaction through forums with community advisory groups, city planners, community leaders, local Native American elders, and local transportation officials. The durable building materials and dramatic forms evolve from and evoke images of Poulsbo’s Scandinavian heritage.