Supporting the Whole Student

North Seattle College Opportunity Center for Employment and Education

Seattle, WA

Weaving Together Old and New

The steel-framed addition floats over and wraps around an existing post-tensioned concrete structure, integrating the buildings and weaving the center into the campus fabric. A transparent south façade and skylights create an open, inviting quality inside the LEED Gold certified building. Vibrant colors articulate public spaces and support wayfinding, transforming the character of the original 1970s commuter campus.

Integrated Services Model

The innovative Opportunity Center program brings employment and social services agencies together on the community college campus. Welcoming resource centers and flexible workspaces support the delivery of coordinated services to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency through employment and life-long learning.

Collaborative Process, Innovative Partnerships

The design team played a key role in developing the model, facilitating dialogue among multiple agencies and ensuring implementation of the resulting shared vision. A national model for integrated service delivery, this pilot project paved the way for legislation to implement opportunity centers state-wide.