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Overview

The Seattle-based Bumgardner Partnership designed this student center intended to served students, faculty and staff working in the south portion of the campus, namely the Health Sciences Center and Schools of Fisheries and Oceanography. Construction occurred during 1972 and 1973.

Building History

An article in the 01/02/1972 issue of the Seattle Times said of this new South Campus Center: “June tentatively is the time set for beginning construction of a $3.5 million south campus center on the shores of Portage Bay. It will be built under financing of special student fees. The center, to serve students and others in field of fisheries, oceanography and health sciences, will be between the Harris Hydraulics Building and the old Oceanography Building. There will be food service for 750 persons and recreational, meeting and lounge areas, including a multipurpose room for 200. Unlike the Student Union Building, the new center is not designed as a facility for student government. Services in the center planned are a branch of the University Book Store a barbershop, check-cashing facilities and a postal substation. There also is space for a future tavern, should the legislature permit it. The Bumgardner Partnership designed the center to contrast with the other south-campus structures ‘so that members of the community will be drawn to it’ in moments of escape from their work and study areas. A large terrace shielded by glass skylights cuts into the building mass and opens to the south for sun and view. A sloping lawn with perimeter stairs links the major social spaces with a campus road and the bay, The buff-colored reinforced concrete structure will have a total area of 71,500 square feet. Occupancy is expected in the fall of 1973.” (See Julie Emery, "U.W. beginning last big year of rapid capital expansion," Seattle Times, 01/02/1972, p, F2.)

Building Notes

This center occupied a shoreline site near where the Showboat Theatre once was moored.

PCAD id: 13630