Client: Bates Technical College
Size: 53,009 sf
Location: Tacoma, WA
View an Interactive Virtual Tour here.

The project concept is inspired by 7 key project goals and the structure of the equipment found in many of the programs. Concrete was chosen as a timeless structure that echos the existing campus context and serves as an armature that supports flexible components that change over time as programs and technologies evolve.  Server rooms and unique teaching/learning spaces will be accent components of the instructional wing simultaneously addressing facilities infrastructure needs and demonstrating the technologies and programs present in the facility.  The large Broadcast Studio lab provides an iconic element that is seen from 19th Street and serially from locations on campus and within the building and will also serve as a large group meeting.

A unique learning community is created by locating collaborative spaces outside traditional learning settings and faculty offices to provide opportunities to further a student’s understanding and knowledge through collaborative discussion, inquiry and interaction amongst faculty and students.

The project will incorporate a number of sustainable features including a ground coupled water source that supplies the HVAC system and a heat recovery system that will extract the tremendous amount of heat energy expended by the large technology servers to heat domestic water. Photo voltaics are proposed as a rooftop installation to harvest some of the sun’s energy to power systems or areas of the building as a demonstration and reduce reliance on utility provided power.  Prefabricated elements will further the idea of providing building elements that are easily adaptable and the utilization of cutting edge construction technologies. The project is targeted for LEED Gold Certification.