Western Washington University has unveiled its newest addition to campus infrastructure with the completion of Kaiser Borsari Hall, a cutting-edge 53,345-square-foot facility designed by renowned architecture firm Perkins&Will. The building serves as the new home for the university's rapidly expanding electrical engineering and computer science programs, addressing the growing demand for STEM education across Washington State.
The facility represents a significant investment in multi-disciplinary learning environments, featuring state-of-the-art technology-rich laboratories and maker spaces designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and investigation among students and faculty. The building's design emphasizes flexible learning spaces with movable furniture and writable surfaces throughout, encouraging teamwork and the development of essential soft skills that prepare students for today's competitive workforce.
Strategically positioned between the main campus and the native forest arboretum, Kaiser Borsari Hall showcases a striking mass timber structure that creates a visually compelling contrast between warm wood tones in the interior spaces and distinctive charred wood siding on the exterior. The building incorporates the ancient Japanese technique of shou sugi ban for the exterior cladding, which involves burning wood boards to enhance their durability and resistance to fire and insects.
The architectural design emphasizes biophilic principles throughout the structure, transforming what was previously an impermeable parking lot into an environmentally conscious space surrounded by native and climate-adaptive vegetation. The building's proximity to Sehome Hill Arboretum allows for seamless integration of diverse plant species, creating a habitat bridge that connects the arboretum to the core campus and provides students with direct access to nature.
Notable design features include a multicultural lounge that serves as a gathering space for the university's increasingly diverse student population, along with glass-enclosed staircases that offer panoramic views of the campus and surrounding landscape. Horizontal windows punctuated by panels of natural-finish wood provide abundant daylight and scenic views for classrooms and offices on every floor, while the ground floor features an airy lobby with a central staircase that draws students upward through the building.
The project team included lead architects Anthony Gianopoulos, Ryan Bussard, and Andrew Clinch, working alongside a comprehensive design team and various engineering consultants. General contractor Mortenson oversaw construction, with specialized engineering services provided by firms including Coughlin Porter Lundeen for structural work, KPFF for civil engineering, and McKinstry for mechanical systems. The building incorporates sustainable materials and systems from manufacturers including Rieder Group, Interface, Armstrong Ceilings, and Guardian Glass.
As industry workforce demands and STEM enrollment continue to surge throughout Washington State, Kaiser Borsari Hall positions Western Washington University at the forefront of educational innovation. The facility serves as a collaborative hub where industry experts, faculty, and students work together to develop the technological and engineering solutions needed for tomorrow's challenges, while promoting diversity and inclusion within the campus community through thoughtfully designed spaces that encourage interaction and learning across disciplines.
