AKA: Western Washington University (WWU), Student Union, Bellingham, WA; Western Washington University, Viking Union. Bellingham, WA

Structure Type: built works - public buildings - schools - university buildings

Designers: Bassetti and Morse, Architects (firm); Frederick Forde Bassetti (architect); John Moore Morse (architect)

Dates: constructed 1957-1959

516 High Street
Western Washington University Campus, Bellingham, WA 98225-9106

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Building Notes

According to the Bellingham Herald: "Bassetti's first major project was the student union at Western, in 1959. In a WWU oral history interview in 2003, Bassetti said another firm had designed the building, but when that firm said it was too late to change its design at the request of campus administrator Barney Goltz, Western's board of trustees - newly enlarged with two new members, one of whom was Forrest - gave the job to him." (See Dean Kahn, "Fred Bassetti left architectural legacy at Western Washington University," Bellingham Herald, article appeared 12/15/2013.Accessed 12/22/2013.) The Student Union was the first of several Bassetti projects at Western Washington, that also included a second addition to the Wilson Library (c. 1973), Carver Gymnasium, Ridgeway Student Housing, and the Humanities Building. Tel: 360.650.3450 (2013).

PCAD id: 10713