Kaiser Borsari Hall brings the Western Washington University Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments along with the Institute for Energy Studies together in a high-tech facility that acts as a bridge between industry and education. It is a collaborative hub fostering innovation and connection among industry experts, faculty, and students, promoting diversity and inclusion within the campus community.
The site is surrounded by native and climate-adaptive vegetation. Its proximity to Sehome Hill Arboretum enables the integration of diverse plant species, fostering a habitat bridge from the Arboretum to the core campus. Conceived as a simple mass timber structure, the design plays on contrasting wood finishes. The warm and intimate interior structure is poised against dark shou sugi ban exterior cladding, an ancient Japanese technique of burning boards for durability and resiliency.
This is the first higher education STEM building to pursue both Zero Carbon and Zero Energy Certifications through the International Living Future Institute (ILFI). The building serves as a “living laboratory,” integrating sustainable strategies that support student learning.
