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design I summer 2013

the summer of2010 was thebeginning of acomprehensiveremodel andrenovationof the Husky

Union Building (HUB)at the University ofWashington. Drivenby student initiatives,this project set outto meet the fourgoals established bythe HUB RenovationCommittee, composedof 16 students, twofaculty and two staff:welcoming space, openthe building, connect tothe campus and buildcommunity.

spring 2013 I design

Of Activity.

design I summer 2013

Now that the HUB hasreopened, the building has atotally redesigned and rebuiltfirst, second and third floors.The remaining three floorshave been remodeled andupdated as well. The buildingis now prepared to meet the

needs of future Huskies onthis Seattle campus.

Completed after a five-year design and constructionprocess, this latest reincarna-tion of the HUB is a forward-thinking, contemporaryfacility and a true embodi-

ment of what a 21st-centurystudent and campus centershould be. Considering thisis the most extensive HUBrenovation since the originalconstruction in 1948-49, thebuilding seamlessly bridgesthe university’s past, pres-

ent and future by blendingelements of the original HUBwith new features.

Perkins + Will, Seattle,Washington, was the archi-tectural firm selected todesign the student center.Architectural woodwork

summer 2013 I design

Now that the HUB hasreopened, the building has atotally redesigned and rebuiltfirst, second and third floors.The remaining three floorshave been remodeled andupdated as well. The buildingis now prepared to meet theneeds of future Huskies onthis Seattle campus.

Completed after a five-year design and constructionprocess, this latest reincarna-tion of the HUB is a forward-thinking, contemporaryfacility and a true embodi-ment of what a 21st-centurystudent and campus centershould be. Considering thisis the most extensive HUBrenovation since the originalconstruction in 1948-49, thebuilding seamlessly bridgesthe university’s past, pres-ent and future by blendingelements of the original HUBwith new features.

Perkins + Will, Seattle,Washington, was the archi-tectural firm selected todesign the student center.Architectural woodworkwas fabricated by InteriorWoodworking Specialists(IWS), an AWI memberfirm located in Redmond,Washington.

was fabricated by InteriorWoodworking Specialists(I.W.S.), an AWI memberfirm located in Redmond,Washington.

Old And NewThe project’s designers

were able to preserve halfof the building’s more than60-year-old superstructureand expand upon the existinginfrastructure to create amore spacious, connected,accessible and invitingbuilding than its predecessor.

Old travertine stone fromthe original structure wasre-cut and refinished andused in the new walls. A largemural that depicts the univer-sity’s history was enclosedin a protective sheath andpreserved for the second

design I summer 2013

summer 2013 I design

PLAN@ Pivoting Panels

DETAIL@ Pivoting Panels

50-1/4"

50-1/4"

MOTOR FLANGEALIGNMENTDOWELS

ALUMINUMPANEL CLIPS

12-1

1/16

"

18-1

/4"

3/4" 3/4"

49-1/4"

A

1-1/

2"1-

5/8"

1-1/2"

3-1/

8"

R = 41-1/2"

R = 41-1/2"

10-1/8"3/4" 10-1/8" 10-1/8" 10-1/8" 3/4"

METAL EDGETYP. BOTH SIDES

floor (it was too big to moveduring construction). About50 percent of the materialsfrom the old building wererecycled into the new one.

The original facade, whichwas seismically strength-ened, still stands. But univer-sity officials started over withthe interior of the 260,000square-foot building. Almosteverything else -- the atri-ums, ballrooms, lightingand offices -- are new anddesigned to create a moreopen, active and welcomingenvironment. Most of thestudents’ offices are nowlocated where they’re visiblefrom main walkways andstairwells.

One of the project’soverarching goals was con-nectivity, whether betweenactivities in the building orbetween the HUB and thecampus. Even the plaza andlawn outside the HUB werere-graded to better alignwith the main entrance.On the southeast corner, anew multi-purpose room, orlyceum, was built for films,lectures and concerts. It has16-foot windows with sleekwood panels that open andclose to control lighting.

Two ballrooms were builton the second floor with Ashwood flooring and an outdoordeck with stunning views ofLake Washington and MountRainier. The HUB books morethan 4,000 events per year,including films, dances, con-certs, career fairs and confer-ences for off-campus groups.Alumni have been known tobook their wedding recep-tions in the ballrooms.

Design objectives weremet, architect Scheer Chansays, by creating a new, longcentral atrium that cut intothe existing building andcreated an open communityspace filled with natural day-light and activity. “We createda clean, modern design usingwarm natural materials such

as wood and stone for themajor interior spaces reflect-ing our Pacific Northwestculture.”

Elegant ElmI.W.S. provided the pivot

panels, mural, wall and ceil-ing panels, benches andcasework of Eastern Elmveneer and hardwood forthe project.

Following multiple worksessions with students toestablish project goals andvisions, one of the majorobjectives was to use natu-ral materials such as woodwhile having a strong envi-ronmental message, reportsLincoln Johnson, HUB direc-tor. “The exclusive use ofFSC certified wood for all themajor wood finishes pro-motes a strong environmen-tal message while creatingwarmth and maintaining astrong connection to nature.”

There are 22 tall, pivoting Elmpanels lining the sides of the20-foot-high auditorium.

design I summer 2013

46"1-3/4"

47-3/4"

FINISHEDFLOOR

Z METALEDGE

Z METALEDGE

ALUMINUMPANEL CLIPS

WD-2 REVEAL

DYNAPACTOP BEARING

ASSEMBLY

ALIGNMENTDOWELS

DYNAPAC IR-800ROTATOR ASSEMBLY

SECTION/DETAIL@ Pivoting Panels

1/2"

45-1

/4"

1/2"

47-1

/2"

1/2"

47-1

/2"

44-1

/2"

1/2"

1/2"

11-1

/2"

14-1

/2"

10"

17"

10"

10"

10"

10"

28"

10"

10"

10"

4-3/

4"17

"28

"

186-

1/4"

Elm was selected for thewall surfaces, Chan explains,primarily for its softer caramelhues and richer, livelier grainpattern.

Pivot PanelsI.W.S. worked in tandem

with the architect so thatmaterials were correctly used,notes Tracey Hepner, CEO ofthe woodworking firm. “Wealso engineered the pivotpanels to accommodate theirheight and weight, and toaccommodate computerizedmotors, while being easilyaccessed for maintenanceand strong enough to with-stand movement in a publicarea.”

According to Chan andJohnson, the pivoting panelswere the most challengingaspect of the project. Thereare 22 tall, pivoting Elmpanels lining the sides ofthe 20-foot-high auditorium.“These automatically rotating‘fins’ are the first of their kindand the result of a multi-tradecollaboration,” says Chan.

The pivoting panels inwhat the students call “TheLyceum” are a big hit withusers and students, addsJohnson. “Other notewor-thy pieces to the studentsinclude the benches andsales desk built from sal-vaged bowling alley wood.”

Our longevity is due to our ability to create and build long-termrelationships. Our ability to engineer and project manage highly visibleprojects assists everyone involved. We are recognized in the industryfor supplying high quality product at a fair price and being fun to workwith along the way.

Elm was selected forwall surfaces for itssofter caramel huesand richer, liveliergrain pattern.

summer 2013 I design

Husky UnionBuildingSeattle, WA

University ofWashingtonSeattle, WA

InteriorWoodworkingSpecialistsRedmond, WA

Perkins + WillSeattle, WA

Skanska USASeattle, WA

BenjaminBenschneiderSeattle, WA

“The woodworking firmplayed a critical role in thesuccess of the pivoting pan-els,” notes Chan. “They pro-vided invaluable advice onresolving some of the trickierdetails for the paneling, spe-cialty trim and custom furni-

ture. One of the most chal-lenging woodworking aspectswas managing the largevolume of woodwork whilemaintaining a personal cus-tom feel to the final product.”

I.W.S. met weekly with thegeneral contractor to review

schedules and interfacewith other trades so thatno problems would arise,notes Hepner. Full size mock-ups were made as were 3Ddesigns so that all elementswere understood. “The entireproject and the process we

all engaged in was a testa-ment to teamwork among thegeneral contractor, architect,owner and ourselves.”

The Huskies’ HUB remainsa vibrant and central meetingand activity space for students,faculty and visitors alike.