Located on Bainbridge Island, just west of Seattle, the project site was previously marred by contamination from a creosote production plant that operated for nearly 60 years.
Global Design & Architecture Design Awards 2024
First Award | Cultural (Concept)
Project Name: Bainbridge Island Concert Hall
Category: Cultural (Concept)
Studio Name: Epstein
Design Team: Patrick Carata, Ed Curley & Marcin Rysniak
Area: 60,000sf
Year: 2022
Location: Bainbride Island, State of Wasington, USA
Consultants: Cavatina & Rik Langendoen
Photography Credits: Epstein, Suquamish Tribe & Bainbridge Island Historical Museum
Render Credits: Epstein
Other Credits:
Scheduled for remediation, our project is positioned in the initial cleanup area, heralding a new era of environmental restoration for the site. Our primary objectives were to minimize the building’s footprint, ensure its height remained below the tree line, and enrich the surroundings with extensive new green spaces.
The Suquamish, among the many Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest, thrived in their traditional ways before the arrival of non-Indians. Their name, derived from the Lushootseed phrase for “people of the clear salt water,” reflects their deep connection to the lands and waterways of Washington’s Central Puget Sound Region. As expert fishermen, canoe builders, and basket weavers, they have lived in harmony with their environment for thousands of years.
In the design discovery phase, our team developed structural concepts utilizing wood—a rapidly renewable material—to create an intricate, weaving dome. This free-span structure was designed to accommodate a 500-seat indoor concert hall, a 600-seat outdoor amphitheater, community spaces, and an art museum. The building’s form drew inspiration from the organic shapes prevalent in Salish art, aiming to embody a natural and harmonious essence that integrates seamlessly with the local flora. Its sculptural quality also evokes the form of carved canoes.
The building was conceived as a Net Zero structure, achieved through a comprehensive range of sustainable strategies. These include water reclamation, the use of recycled materials, natural ventilation, water conservation measures, low-water-use native landscaping, water harvesting, and geothermal heating and cooling. The dome is clad in amorphous silicon photovoltaic glass, which supplies a significant portion of the building’s energy needs.
Central to the design is the pursuit of clarity and contrast, informed by local vernacular architecture and the Suquamish Tribe’s wood sculpting heritage. Wood serves as the primary structural and interior finish material, marrying tradition with sustainability. The outdoor amphitheater design extends seamlessly into the adjacent park, promoting community engagement by allowing visitors to enjoy performances while relaxing in the green space.
In summary, the building stands as a model of environmental stewardship, integrating innovative sustainable practices to reduce energy consumption and minimize carbon emissions. It sets a benchmark for eco-friendly architectural design, reflecting a deep respect for both the natural environment and the cultural heritage of the Suquamish Tribe.
