Brightwater Center

Water Systems Revealed

Brightwater Center

Woodinville, WA

Uniting Communities, Programs

Brightwater Center brings people together to learn about water, energy and sustainability, and how these issues flow through every community. Folded planes of reclaimed wood embrace flexible teaching and gathering spaces that host an array of programs and events.

Bringing Lessons to Life

Exhibits and art installations illustrate and animate the water cycle, bringing lessons to life. Throughout the LEED Platinum certified facility, visible sustainable strategies contribute to educational programming and building performance. All heat and hot water is supplied by renewable sources, including methane heat capture from the wastewater solids digestion process on campus.

Rejuvenating the Site

Previously the site of a car salvage yard, the Center perches above a spectacular natural environment that extends hands-on learning beyond the building. New wetlands provide habitat and clean water for a restored salmon spawning stream, demonstrating the functionality and potential of sustainable infrastructure and ecology.

Client

King County Wastewater Treatment Division

Overview

Environmental education and events center on the campus of a wastewater treatment facility

Program

Interpretive exhibits, laboratory classrooms, multipurpose gathering space, offices, kitchen, walking and education trails

Size

15,000 sf; 40 acres

Sustainable Metrics

LEED Platinum, Certified

Completion Date

2011

Services

Architecture, Interior Design

Collaborators

CH2M Hill and Brown and Caldwell, engineer; Hargreaves Associates, landscape architect; Streeter & Associates, consulting architect

Awards

AIA Washington Civic Design Awards, Citation, 2012

Northwest Construction Consumer Council Distinguished Project Awards, Green Project of the Year, 2011

Buildings were arranged and the landscape was integrated throughout the facility to communicate the nature of the site.

The Center is integrated into the landscape to communicate the nature of the site.

A majority of the site is utilized for public access, including a 40-acre salmon spawning stream restoration.

Reclaimed wood, polished concrete and insulated concrete masonry units provide warm and durable materials that serve multiple purposes in the appearance and function of the buildings.

Filtered light flows into interior spaces through translucent panels in the walkway and alternates with a photovoltaic array.

Flexible classrooms were designed for multiple purposes and will be used by various age groups.

The Center’s resource library aims to educate people of all ages about natural resources and the environment.

Art is displayed throughout the Center’s community gathering spaces.

The Center includes two laboratories, a resource library, central plaza, exhibit hall and community gathering rooms.

The exhibit hall brings visitors together to learn about water, energy and sustainability, and how these issues flow through every community.

Art is displayed throughout the Center’s community gathering spaces.

A major goal of the project was to protect public health, the environment and wildlife.

Water Systems Revealed

Brightwater Center