FORMA

FORMA was part of a packed crowd that celebrated the Grand (re)Opening of Pierce College’s freshly renovated Olympic South Building. 

Complete with a ribbon-cutting, speeches, tours, and even a performance by the Pierce College Wadaiko (Japanese drumming) Club, last week’s grand opening of the Olympic South Building was a great success.

Delivered via a progressive design-build collaboration with McGranahanPBK and the State’s Department of Enterprise Services, the project restored a 1970s-era concrete and steel structure–badly compromised by hazardous materials found throughout its structure and interiors, utilities, cladding, and even in the surrounding soils outside. Demolished down to its bare bones and brace frames, meticulously abated under the scrutiny of a certified Asbestos Supervisor and full-time, on-site safety representatives, then carefully built-back; this completely transformed building now features healthy learning environments, offices, and gathering areas–promoting student success and revitalizing the Ft Steilacoom campus center.

Housing the College’s Early Childhood Education lab on the main floor–complete with 13,000 sf of outdoor play and exploration space; as well as fine arts facilities and a 1,100 sf gallery on the 2nd level; and Central Washington University’s extension site on the third floor; key upgrades to the building include a new main entrance, full MEP systems replacement, and an elevator tower that now reaches every floor for much-improved equity and access.

Check our this recent article for more on this transformational project and it’s opening celebration.