Aspiration & Achievement
The renovation transforms Seminar I into a welcoming hub for relational learning, fostering collaboration, connection, and belonging through reimagined academic and community-focused spaces.
RECOGNITION
LEED Gold
PROJECT DETAILS
The renovation of Seminar I transforms a 50-year-old academic building into a vibrant, future-ready hub for learning and connection. Once challenged by outdated infrastructure and evolving programmatic needs, the building now provides expanded seminar spaces, modernized systems, improved energy performance, structural upgrades, and an all-electric future. New lobby additions and the enclosure of previously open circulation areas reorient the building toward campus, creating a safe, welcoming destination that strengthens student engagement and community.
Honoring a Historic Legacy
Constructed in 1974, Seminar I is a defining example of the Brutalist architecture that shapes Evergreen’s campus identity. The design honors the building’s historic character by preserving its formal clarity, expressive structure, and authentic materiality while introducing contemporary elements that complement rather than compete with the original architecture. Restored board-formed concrete, natural copper cladding, exposed mass timber, abundant daylight, and vibrant colors create a thoughtful dialogue between past and present, fostering inviting spaces for learning and collaboration.
A More Inclusive and Connected Environment
Home to Evergreen’s Native Pathways Program, Seminar I was reimagined to better reflect and support the diverse communities it serves. The design strengthens connections to the surrounding landscape and incorporates color, material, and craft traditions inspired by the cultures of the Pacific Northwest. These interventions transform a once inward-facing building into a welcoming, culturally responsive environment that promotes belonging, relationship-building, and student success.
