November 17, 2021

Multi-generational Filipino Community Village opens

Photo by William Wright [enlarge]

As a result of community collaboration, the project features a four-panel art mural by Filipino American artist Eliseo Silva.

Filipino Community Village, a mixed-use community center, opened its doors in July 2021. The project consists of 95 affordable and low-income housing units for seniors and a 4,800 square foot Innovation Learning Center. The units are studio and one-bedroom. There is also a community room, business center and conference room, exercise room, a rooftop terrace and parking for 22 cars.

In 2011, The Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS) hired Rolluda Architects to provide a master plan for the construction of the mixed-use project in the Othello neighborhood of Seattle at 5727 37th Ave S. Programming and design workshops were conducted with various interest groups and organizations within the community. Using a variety of programming tools Rolluda engaged FCS constituents in inclusive and interactive workshops, which kept them informed and provided them ownership of the process and design. The results of the collaborative programming and design efforts included a plaza for outdoor gathering, a four panel art mural painted by artist Eliseo Silva, large outdoor decks, and the incorporation of Capiz window panels from the Philippines in common spaces. Residents must meet income restriction requirements and there must be at least one member aged 55 or older in the household. The Innovation Learning Center has a state-of-the art computer laboratory with adjacent Makers Space for a STEAM program - an approach to learning that prioritizes Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. The multi-generational center “encourages all age groups to learn and grow together. The computer lab is open to anyone needing access to computers and technical assistance.

Construction began in September 2019 and was completed in July 2021. With a budget of nearly $22 million for the housing and $1.2 million for the learning center, the project involved demolishing existing houses. The final project cost was $24.1 million.

The Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS) has served the Filipino-American community and other immigrant groups for over 80 years throughout Seattle and surrounding communities — as far north as Shoreline and as far south as Tacoma.

The project team included Chris Moxon, Matthew Flickinger, and Brian Lloyd at Beacon Development Group; Alma Kern, Agnes Navarro, and Vilma Veloria at Filipino Community of Seattle; Alex Rolluda, Principal-in-Charge and Programming Lead, Robert Hale, Project Manager and Architect, and Brett Barbakoff, Senior Project Designer at Rolluda Architects, Inc.; KPFF, Civil Engineer; I.L. Gross, Structural Engineer; Sider + Byers, Mechanical Engineer; Säzän Group, Electrical Engineer; BEE, Building Envelope Consultant; J.A. Brennan Associates, Landscape Architect; JB Iringan Consulting, Cost Estimator; and Marpac Construction LLC, General Contractor.