Western Washington University Breaks Ground on Computer Science and Engineering Building

Western Washington University broke ground in March of 2023 on the $73.6 million Kaiser Borsari Hall in Bellingham. Designed by Perkins&Will, the 54,000-sf structure will accommodate the school's growing programs in computer science, electrical engineering, and energy science and technology. The four-story building will provide active learning classrooms, teaching and research labs, offices, breakout areas, a multicultural student lounge, and a collaborative commons. 

Targeting LEED Gold certification, the net-zero-energy facility will integrate cross-laminated timber to reduce embodied carbon. A mechanical basement will house heavy equipment, eliminating the need for a penthouse, with upper floors employing vibration mitigation technologies to protect sensitive research areas. These strategies will allow for the incorporation of an unrated timber structural system, resulting in thinner floor panels, smaller framing members, and simpler connections. Featuring rooftop photovoltaic arrays, the all-electric building is expected to achieve the Energy Petal of the Living Building Challenge. A sky bridge will create a physical link to the adjacent Communications Facility, which will offer 20,000 sf of renovated space to enhance interdisciplinary synergies. 

The project team includes consulting architect McLennan Design, structural engineer Coughlin Porter Lundeen, civil engineer KPFF Consulting Engineers, mechanical and plumbing engineer Affiliated Engineers, electrical and telecommunications engineer Hargis, acoustic and elevator consultant The Greenbusch Group, building envelope consultant Morrison Hershfield, geotechnical engineer Associated Earth Sciences, and cost estimator Roen Associates. Mortenson is the construction manager for Kaiser Borsari Hall, which is slated for completion in early 2025.