The Rainforest Arts Center
The Rainforest Arts Center Location Building Size Lot Size Type
Forks, Washington
6,300 square feet
0.28 acres
Civic
SPECIFIC CONTEXT, BROADER CHALLENGE The Rainforest Arts Center is a relatively small project with a community impact that vastly exceeds its size. Located in a small town on the Olympic peninsula, the new facility was built to replace the beloved and historic Oddfellows Hall which burned down. The loss of this building was an emotional blow to the town, and the community came to the design process with strong and varied expectations and aspirations for the replacement building. City leadership emphasized
the civic significance of the new building, but a part of the population was pushing for a very traditional architecture familiar to the residents of the Peninsula. Located right on SR 101, the original west coast highway, the project also had to engage the broader context of “roadside architecture”, which is generally relegated to non-civic uses such as economy motels, lodging, casual diners, and gas stations.
RUSTIC SOPHISTICATION With an understanding of this dichotomy of aspirations, we searched for an architectural response that would give justice to these specific physical and psychological contexts. It became clear that the materiality of wood could bridge the divide. A sophisticated use of
wood can evoke a contemporary moment and building’s significance, while remaining relevant to its specific rural context. The design evolved to portray a civic presence appropriate for the Community Arts Center, connecting with the emotions of the wider community.
OF THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY The tight budget set by the insurance allowance pushed the design team and the community to seek creative solutions throughout the design and construction process. These solutions, gifted and volunteered, resulted in the inclusion of significant contributions that provide this civic building with a strong connection to Forks’ long tradition of logging. Local high school students installed a Northwest-themed mural made from square log ends in the lobby with guidance from the design team. University of Washington architecture students worked closely
with the designers and built the acoustical wall panels as part of their fabrication studio work. A local mill donated a large log for the curved wood beam window seat. Donated logging poles form door handles and evoke the tradition that was a pride of the community for a long time. The community has embraced their new facility, and it has already served a wide variety of uses, including Chamber of Commerce meetings, weddings, art fairs, WA State Supreme Court sessions, dances for all ages, and many more.
Forks
Seattle
Broader Context Roadside architecture in a small rural town. SR 101 original West Coast Highway View from across the site looking south
Beloved “Oddfellows Hall” and the adjacent pharmacy building on the corner burned in a fire.
Immediate Context Emotional loss to the community
New building reinterprets large / small component relationship at the corner, creating necessary civic space.
STORAGE
GREEN ROOM
3
RAC site
GREAT HALL
1
SR 101
2
4
4
5
RETAIL
0' 2'
4'
8'
1. Wooden beam window seat donated by local lumber mill 2. Wood mosaic built by local high school students 3. Acoustical panels designed and fabricated by UW architecture students 4. Handles created from donated lumber tools 5. Pathway of local waterways inlaid in flooring
The Insurance Allowance set a very tight budget. City leadership engaged the local and wider community to help achieve the desired facility, enhancing relationships that will continue through the use of the new arts center.
Construction help of the community, by the community, for the community
The large wooden beam used for the window seat was a gift from the local lumber mill.
Of the community, by the community, for the community Lobby wall to the grand hall was built by the local high school students per concept and directions from the design team. Logging poles donated by local business represent clear ties to the area’s logging history and traditions.
Of the community, by the community, for the community Architecture students at the University of Washington designed and fabricated acoustical wall panels as a part of their fabrication class. The design process was an intense collaboration between the students, the community, and the project design team.
Acoustical panels provide sound absorption and reflection. Panels have flexibility for art displays, pinned or hung.
Community Use
Washington State Supreme Court held its sessions in the RAC
Weddings
Community Use
Arts and craft fair “A Dinner with a Vampire”, celebrating 10 years of Twilight fantasy books and movies that helped to animate the town’s economy.
Forks, Washington
6,300 square feet
0.28 acres
Civic
SPECIFIC CONTEXT, BROADER CHALLENGE The Rainforest Arts Center is a relatively small project with a community impact that vastly exceeds its size. Located in a small town on the Olympic peninsula, the new facility was built to replace the beloved and historic Oddfellows Hall which burned down. The loss of this building was an emotional blow to the town, and the community came to the design process with strong and varied expectations and aspirations for the replacement building. City leadership emphasized
the civic significance of the new building, but a part of the population was pushing for a very traditional architecture familiar to the residents of the Peninsula. Located right on SR 101, the original west coast highway, the project also had to engage the broader context of “roadside architecture”, which is generally relegated to non-civic uses such as economy motels, lodging, casual diners, and gas stations.
RUSTIC SOPHISTICATION With an understanding of this dichotomy of aspirations, we searched for an architectural response that would give justice to these specific physical and psychological contexts. It became clear that the materiality of wood could bridge the divide. A sophisticated use of
wood can evoke a contemporary moment and building’s significance, while remaining relevant to its specific rural context. The design evolved to portray a civic presence appropriate for the Community Arts Center, connecting with the emotions of the wider community.
OF THE COMMUNITY, BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY The tight budget set by the insurance allowance pushed the design team and the community to seek creative solutions throughout the design and construction process. These solutions, gifted and volunteered, resulted in the inclusion of significant contributions that provide this civic building with a strong connection to Forks’ long tradition of logging. Local high school students installed a Northwest-themed mural made from square log ends in the lobby with guidance from the design team. University of Washington architecture students worked closely
with the designers and built the acoustical wall panels as part of their fabrication studio work. A local mill donated a large log for the curved wood beam window seat. Donated logging poles form door handles and evoke the tradition that was a pride of the community for a long time. The community has embraced their new facility, and it has already served a wide variety of uses, including Chamber of Commerce meetings, weddings, art fairs, WA State Supreme Court sessions, dances for all ages, and many more.
Forks
Seattle
Broader Context Roadside architecture in a small rural town. SR 101 original West Coast Highway View from across the site looking south
Beloved “Oddfellows Hall” and the adjacent pharmacy building on the corner burned in a fire.
Immediate Context Emotional loss to the community
New building reinterprets large / small component relationship at the corner, creating necessary civic space.
STORAGE
GREEN ROOM
3
RAC site
GREAT HALL
1
SR 101
2
4
4
5
RETAIL
0' 2'
4'
8'
1. Wooden beam window seat donated by local lumber mill 2. Wood mosaic built by local high school students 3. Acoustical panels designed and fabricated by UW architecture students 4. Handles created from donated lumber tools 5. Pathway of local waterways inlaid in flooring
The Insurance Allowance set a very tight budget. City leadership engaged the local and wider community to help achieve the desired facility, enhancing relationships that will continue through the use of the new arts center.
Construction help of the community, by the community, for the community
The large wooden beam used for the window seat was a gift from the local lumber mill.
Of the community, by the community, for the community Lobby wall to the grand hall was built by the local high school students per concept and directions from the design team. Logging poles donated by local business represent clear ties to the area’s logging history and traditions.
Of the community, by the community, for the community Architecture students at the University of Washington designed and fabricated acoustical wall panels as a part of their fabrication class. The design process was an intense collaboration between the students, the community, and the project design team.
Acoustical panels provide sound absorption and reflection. Panels have flexibility for art displays, pinned or hung.
Community Use
Washington State Supreme Court held its sessions in the RAC
Weddings
Community Use
Arts and craft fair “A Dinner with a Vampire”, celebrating 10 years of Twilight fantasy books and movies that helped to animate the town’s economy.
