Grand Award Winner
Cast-in-Place Structures

Location: 21st and West College Way, Bellingham

Owner/developer: Western Washington University

Project team: Dawson Construction, general contractor; BJSS Duarte Bryant and Opsis Architecture, architects; KPFF Consulting Engineers, structural engineer; Ferndale Ready Mix and Gravel, ready-mix supplier

The 98,000-square-foot Wade King Student Recreation Center serves as the gateway and primary gathering place for Western Washington University’s south campus expansion.

In order to reduce the bulk of some of the large-volume spaces, the building was carved into a west-sloping hillside. That challenged the design and construction teams because the site has poor soil bearing capacity and solid rock that reaches all the way to the surface.

Another challenge was posed by the facility’s swimming pool and sunken spa.

The solution required excavating portions of the rock, using the rock to form cast-in-place retaining walls, and supporting the building with concrete piles and caps. Large retaining walls were used to reduce the visual impact of the building, provide durable interior finishes, and allow for substantial daylight and views to the forested slope.

Concrete was used inside the rec center to reduce noise from second floor fitness spaces, and create open floor plans.

The design of the student center was inspired from other campus structures, including: the stone and brick walls of Old Main; the concrete terraces and brick walls of Red Square; and the concrete elements of Haskell Plaza.

Inside, the building houses a rock climbing wall and three weight and cardio areas. The facility also has a three-court gym, a three-lane elevated track, multi-activity court, a six-lane lap and leisure pool, 25-person whirlpool, locker rooms, two group exercise rooms, a wellness resource room, conference room and a cafe.

Concrete was used because it allows for large, open floor plates while minimizing sound transmission from second floor fitness spaces to sensitive administrative spaces below. Also, the thermal mass of the concrete structure, combined with the open planning and operable windows, provides integrated passive cooling.

The center is one of the first of its kind in the country that meets Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification requirements. Exposed concrete was used to reduce the need for applied finishes, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.

Finalists in the category included the Kent Pullen Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center in Renton and the Janet Sinegal Patient Care Building at Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle.