Miller Hull

Consolidating departments previously housed in a combination of owned and leased buildings across the island, the design for this civic building reflects community values of not being ostentatious but, at the same time, projecting a strong service-focused civic presence.

The building is organized around a “street” running east west down the center of the building, flanked on either side by service counters for city building, planning, and engineering departments. A linear skylight runs the length of the building at the top of this two-story space. Council Chambers anchors one end of the building, with a community meeting space at the other. Administration is housed in the second floor of the gable form, with views into the interior street from operable wood windows, in a continuation of the rhythm established on the exterior. The form and materials echo many of the historic farming buildings and timber heritage found throughout this island community is reflected through expressive structure and detailing without losing a modern edge.

By placing one gable end of the linear building out tight to the street, the building accommodates a “town square” behind, bracketed by the City Hall, a Performing Arts Building and future mixed use building.  Public art installations by local artists throughout ground the structure in island culture. Most of the pieces are functional, allowing for artists budgets to be supplemented by the value of the work that they replace.

Project Team

Architect: The Miller Hull Partnership
Interior Design: Allbee Romein
Environmental Consultant: O’Brien & Company
Landscape and Planning: Cascade Design Collective (now Osborn Consulting)
Structural Engineering: KPFF
Civil Engineering: SvR Design Company (now MIG)
Mechnical Engineering: The Greenbusch Group
Electrical Engineering: Sparling (now Stantec)
Geotechnical: Myers Biodynamic
Surveying: Adam & Goldsmith
Signage Design: WPA
Construction Management: Elmquist Associates
Photography: Lara Swimmer