Miller Hull

Tacoma Paper & Stationery

University of Washington, Tacoma, WA
An adaptive-reuse that embodies the current and future spirit of University of Washington, Tacoma
Client University of Washington
Certifications LEED Gold Certified
Size 40,000 SF
Completion 2017

Map

The last remaining undeveloped warehouse on the University of Washington’s Tacoma campus (UWT) has found a new purpose: providing classroom, studio and lab space for programs in urban studies, engineering and biomedical sciences. Originally built in 1904, this transformation connects past to present, and brings new life and purpose to a structure with more to give.

The building represents UWT as an urban campus inextricably linked to local institutions and community. It creates an active, meaningful and vibrant connection through the building to campus, and allows a beautiful, historic building to be an inspiring backdrop for learning and community engagement.

Our team worked in predesign and design with UWT to examine design options that would be sympathetic to the campus master plan and increasing enrollment projection.

The design maximizes flexibility to serve the evolving interdisciplinary programs, fosters student-centric learning and interaction, and creates a dynamic, transparent community space to connect the growing campus. Large overhead doors open up the building onto the recently completed Prairie Line Trail, creating a direct indoor-outdoor connection with the building’s large, informal learning and gathering space and open maker space. This is a vibrant focal point for faculty and student interactions, and generates an inspiring and welcoming meeting place for the campus.

Historic renovations can be challenging on budgets and schedules as unforeseen conditions appear. However, Miller Hull worked closely with the project team to collectively solve problems as they arose and were able to deliver the project under budget and return $1.5 million to the school.

Project Team

Architect & Interior Design: The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP
Historic Preservation: BOLA Architecture + Planning
Contractor: M. A. Mortenson Company
Civil Engineer: AHBL
Structural Engineer: PCS Structural Solutions
Mechanical & Electrical Engineer: Glumac
Geotechnical Engineer: GeoEngineers
Landscape: AHBL
Lighting: Glumac
Acoustical Engineer: BRC Acoustics
AV/IT: Glumac
Signage & Graphics: Mayer/Reed