October 18, 2024

Design unveiled for ASUW Shell House

Renderings by Mithun [enlarge]

The main level of the shell house is set to be used as an events space. The structure’s historic wood trusses, framing and interior surfaces will be maintained.

The DJC first reported in May 2022 on the Associated Students of the University of Washington's plans to restore a historic shell house on the shore of the Montlake Cut and turn it into a new waterfront destination, events venue, and campus gathering space for students and the local community.

The approximately 13,000-square-foot shell house is located at the southeast corner of the University of Washington and is the historic home of the UW rowing program.

It dates to 1918 but is most well known as the former training ground for the gold-medal-winning 1936 men's Olympic rowing team — immortalized as the Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown's novel of the same name, and more recently by a movie based on the book — and as the former site of prolific boat builder George Pocock's workshop. Pocock built the racing shell that carried the 1936 Olympics team to victory.

The structure in recent years has been mainly used for storage.

Following the conclusion last winter of a successful fundraising campaign for the restoration, which raised $19 million, the project is now in design and is starting its march through permitting.

The design-build team comprises architect Mithun and general contractor Sellen.

Earlier this month, the University of Washington issued a SEPA determination of non-significance for the proposed renovation.

The shell house was designated a city of Seattle landmark in 2018. The landmarking covers the exterior of the building, the interior building volume and roof trusswork, and a portion of the site around the building perimeter.

On Wednesday, the Landmarks Preservation Board was briefed on the current proposed designs for the project and provided with some new information, and new renderings, of what the refreshed space might look like.

The shell house has a main level plus a mezzanine level where Pocock's original workshop was located.

The main level is set to be turned into a new events space, with capacity for approximately 400 people (350 at tables). Space will be left clear in perimeter areas of the main event area for future exhibits, likely related to the history of the building, the UW rowing program and/or the site's former use as a portage by Indigenous peoples.

A new restroom is proposed for the main level as well as a new elevator and stair access leading to Pocock's former workshop.

[enlarge]

The current preferred design calls for the replacement of two existing hangar doors on the building’s waterfront-facing side with new glazing. A new observation deck overlooking the Montlake Cut is also proposed.

The upper level will house an exhibit on Pocock and his work, in the former workshop space. Proposed renovations there include new conditioning, lighting and exhibit power and data. This area will also double as meeting space.

An existing portion of the mezzanine, overlooking the main level, columns, and a stair above the Pocock workshop would be removed and replaced with a new elevated viewing and exhibit platform at the upper level, with event support below in covered space.

The building's exposed wood trusses, framing and historic interior surfaces would be maintained.

The most extensive proposed changes are for the shell house's south, water-facing facade. Here the preferred plan is to repair and fix two existing outermost hangar doors and to replace two center hangar doors with a new glazed wall with slide and fold doors to create a new glazed connection to the water. A new observation deck and course overlooking the shoreline edge and Montlake Cut is also proposed, as well as a new accessible connection to the Montlake dock.

At the building's north side, a new main entry and plaza is planned.

The project scope also includes the improvement of building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and structural), and ADA access. This would include a seismic upgrade of all truss connections, new exterior rigid insulation to meet energy code performance and new insulated windows on the structure's east and west sides

Designs are still being ironed out. The design team told the Landmarks board that it is in the process of building a site and building timeline and analyzing what existing elements are historic or have been altered through subsequent renovations. This information and analysis will inform the landmark approach to the building's exterior and interior, as well as the site design, the team says.

The DJC previously reported that ASUW hopes to start the renovations in 2025 and for the refreshed space to open in 2026.