Promoting innovation and community connection with a new science hub

Jim and Janet Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation Design and Planning

Seattle University wanted to create a new heart for innovation and science on campus. Linked with the Bannan Center for Science and Engineering, the new building would bolster the University’s commitment to STEM. They reached out to our team of architects, designers, and planners to help.

Since it would serve as a gateway between the campus and the surrounding neighborhood, our design for the building fosters a strong connection between its interior and the natural world. Wide, sloped walkways and accessible pathways cut through the main public floor, seamlessly blending with surrounding gardens and encouraging interaction with the outdoors.

Inside, we focused on promoting well-being with open, welcoming spaces filled with natural light. Inclusive design features and centrally located stairwells and elevators promote accessibility and movement. Study and social spaces surrounding the central atrium encourage collaboration and community. The material selections emphasize long-term functionality, using a simple palette of locally sourced wood, concrete, glass, and steel to reflect Seattle’s industrial aesthetic and reduce the building’s overall embodied carbon.

We also prioritized sustainability with recycled materials, low-VOC finishes, and a reduced carbon footprint. An all-electric, fossil fuel-free system, exhaust heat recovery, chilled beams, low-flow plumbing, and rooftop solar cut energy use 64 percent below the AIA 2030 baseline, supporting efficiency, durability, and easy maintenance.

The Jim and Janet Sinegal Center for Science and Innovation is a vibrant, student-focused hub that facilitates collaboration and community engagement. Visual connections between labs and classrooms highlight ongoing research and innovation within the building, bridging the gap between academic work and real-world application. By inviting the Seattle community in—residents and industry leaders alike—the center provides a platform for collaboration, allowing everyone to benefit from the University’s resources and expertise.