Olympic College Poulsbo

The first phase of this satellite campus for Olympic College included a 40,000 sf building, tucked into a donated 20-acre parcel of densely forested land.  Development of the program, site/building options and recommended layout was made possible by the involvement of a 40 member Citizen’s Advisory Committee comprised of area school district educators, business people, community activists and interest groups, the City of Poulsbo Mayor, City Planners, and Kitsap Transit.

Open exchanges of ideas and information at a series of public meetings enabled everyone to have an active role setting the content and direction of the new campus.  The 40,000 sf phase I building included classrooms, distance learning classrooms, writing and computer labs, faculty lounge and student cafeteria.  Close interface between the building and the wooded landscape is maintained via the primary entry plaza, pedestrian spine, open terraces, and outdoor amphitheater.

The structure is concrete, steel and glulam construction, with exterior finishes of clear cedar, glass and masonry.  Our team preformed all interior build-outs and installed finishes that incorporate elements of the exterior design.  As an example: the wood finish of the exterior walls is carried into the interior with the matching cedar grain creating an apparent “seamless” pattern when viewed from the inside.  Large windows to the appearance of bringing the outside in.

Our scope also included creating a surface parking area for 260 cars and extensive landscapiong – a large public plaza with stone tiles, nature trail, open terraces and outdoor amphitheater surrounding the building.  These details reflect the neighborhood surroundings and the structure’s use as a community resource.