Founders Hall, a new 85,000-sf mass timber structure, has topped out at the University of Washington. The project expands the Michael G. Foster School of Business while revitalizing the campus core by framing the northeast edge of historic Denny Yard.
The building is organized in two parts to optimize program functionality of workplace, learning, and collaboration activities. Active-learning, collaboration, and event spaces are positioned at the south edge of the site to engage the distinctive qualities of the Denny Yard landscape and provide a link to the pedestrian pathways that traverse the precinct. Landscaped terraces and rain gardens reinforce the natural slope and evergreen plantings of the open space.
An open circulation space serves as a central connector with a feature stair that provides shared access to tiered classrooms, student commons, a special event venue, and an outdoor terrace. The tiered classrooms are designed to serve group sizes from 65 to 135 students with active-learning functionality. Twenty-eight team rooms, four conference rooms, a student commons, and an event forum with an adjacent roof terrace further activate the collaboration zone.
A series of collaboration spaces located throughout the building are designed to encourage teamwork and foster spontaneous interaction among students, program staff, and the broader business community. Classrooms, conference facilities, and recruiting spaces will provide expanded opportunities for community and corporate engagement through hosting events and inviting outside speakers, alumni, and corporate recruiters.
Founders Hall is designed for sustainable performance and social connection. The project is a model for sustainable design at the University of Washington and embraces UW’s Green Building Standards, which has helped the project reduce emissions from embodied carbon by 83%.
“The 83% reduction in operational carbon is a result of careful balancing between envelope performance, the mechanical system design, and the users’ commitment to leverage operable windows and ceiling fans in lieu of energy-intensive air conditioning,” said Robert Smith, Principal, LMN Architects, in a release.
Founders Hall is slated for completion in the summer of 2022.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Aug 6, 2018
Academic honors: The importance of residence halls
Three recent projects demonstrate the dynamic role residence halls are playing on America’s college and university campuses.
University Buildings | Jul 30, 2018
University trends 2018: Schools are desperately searching for ways to economize
Though the U.S. economy is strong with investment gains buoying endowments, colleges and universities face pressures to economize and stretch their capital budgets.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 13, 2018
Student housing vs. multifamily housing—what are the differences?
While student and multi-family housing share a common building form, it’s the student resident that drives the innovation of new spaces.
University Buildings | Jul 11, 2018
Sac State’s new science complex and planetarium nears completion
CO Architects designed the facility.
University Buildings | Jul 5, 2018
Brown University’s Engineering Research Center increases the university’s School of Engineering lab space by 30%
KieranTimberlake designed the facility and Shawmut Design and Construction was the general contractor.
University Buildings | Jul 2, 2018
Columbus State Community College’s new hospitality management and culinary arts building breaks ground
DesignGroup is the architect for the project.
University Buildings | Jun 25, 2018
Virginia Commonwealth has at least three major expansion projects under construction
New buildings for outpatient care, engineering, and rehabilitation of serious injuries and debilities are scheduled to be completed in 2020.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
University Buildings | May 22, 2018
NC State University’s transparent engineering building has ‘engineering on display’ around every corner
Clark Nexsen designed the new building.
University Buildings | May 15, 2018
South Dakota State University to receive new apartment and townhouse neighborhood
The units will house juniors, seniors, and graduate students.