April 4, 2011

Rainier Science and Technology Building

Photos by Doug Scott / dougscott.com [enlarge]

The new $21.2 million Rainier Science and Technology Building at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom in Lakewood is designed to be interactive as a way to enhance learning.

The 70,000-square-foot building houses biological sciences, chemistry, earth science, physics, mathematics and engineering.

It also has an observatory and planetarium, classrooms, dry and wet labs, and exhibits.

Targeted to achieve LEED gold, the building is sited to take advantage of sun angles and wind direction, daylighting, natural ventilation, solar energy and water harvesting.

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Three learning pods are separated by two winter gardens that provide informal learning spaces. Green roofs allow students to compare water quality differences between buildings.

Owner: Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Lakewood

Design architect: Opsis Architecture, Portland

Executive architect: MSGS Architects, Olympia

Contractor: Aldrich and Associates, Lakewood

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Structural engineer: PCS Structural Solutions, Seattle

Electrical engineer: BCE Engineers, Fife

Mechanical engineer: Stantec Consulting Services, Seattle

Civil engineer and landscape architecture: AHBL, Seattle

Acoustician: Sparling, Seattle

Lab designer: Research Facilities Design, San Diego

Artist: John Rogers, Spokane

Do you have photos of recent projects? Share them with DJC readers. Send high-resolution images and information to lisa.lannigan@djc.com.

Previous columns:

• Northshore School District Transportation Center, 03-28-2011
• Kirkland Transit Center, 03-21-2011
• Daybreak cohousing, 03-14-2011
• bSIDE6, 03-07-2011
• The Chloe, 02-28-2011
• Tamarack Place, 02-22-2011
• The Jaqua Center, 02-14-2011
• Eastgate Elementary, 02-07-2011