October 9, 2000

SHS.com

Shared Healthcare Systems' new $6 million headquarters on eight acres in Anacortes is designed to make a direct connection between its two most important commodities: the transport of data and the transport of employees.

Photos by Robert Pisano

All data and fiber optic cables are exposed and visible in the two-story central data tower which is the focal point of the campus. The tower also serves as the central staircase between departments, carrying employees and visitors to various offices.

Open work spaces with exposed data cables in overhead cable trays make it easier to shift teams around within the office. Employees and teams can "plug in" at any location using the overhead data trays. A rooftop deck on the data tower holds satellite dishes. Outdoor laptop connections let employees move outside to take advantage of Mount Baker and Fidalgo Bay views.

The waterfront site, at 1601 R Ave., retains a brick smokestack from the Morrison Mill Co. which operated there from 1920 to 1960. Inside the headquarters space exposed timbers recall the community's history as a timber town.

The second phase of SHS.com's headquarters will start construction soon. SHS.com is an information services company that provides Web-based software systems for the post-acute healthcare market.

Mithun designed the SHS.com space and the general contractor was Fisher & Sons.

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:

• A look at the Belltown Lofts, 10-02-2000
• From drab to fab: CNA transforms office suite, 09-25-2000
• A look at the Bainbridge Island City Hall, 09-18-2000
• A look at the Orcas Island church and school, 09-12-2000
• A look at the Immersant corporate offices, 09-04-2000
• A look at the Pinnacle Sonata Apartments, 08-28-2000
• A look at the Wes Smith Bridge, 08-21-2000
• A look at the First & Republican Building, 08-14-2000