Bellingham Public Schools administrators see their new District Office as a place for more than sending emails and making phone calls. The space, which replaces the 116-year-old building that housed the former district office, is designed with collaboration and the wider community in mind.
The new 51,605-square-foot building has many things their former office did not. Besides now being ADA accessible and fitted for seismic activity, it’s filled with meeting spaces for internal and external collaboration, halls of cubicles for the 100-or-so staff, and even a coffee shop to promote foot traffic.
Gallery: New Bellingham Public Schools office opens to the public
“We’ve been able to see the joy of school after school after school and what it means to that community,” Superintendent Greg Baker said. “I’ve enjoyed every one of those, but to actually have it be the place where these folks work — it’s almost hard to express the joy people have, the appreciation that they have, to be in a district and community that supports good facilities for our kids and the adults.”
The district hopes it’s a place the community feels belongs to them, assistant director of communications Dana Smith said. The community paid $32 million for the office. Portions of the 2013 and 2022 bonds approved by voters went toward its construction.
The district hosted an open house on Thursday, April 25, welcoming community members, workers and district supporters to roam around the new space.
On the first floor, some grabbed cups of coffee and snacks from the new Locus coffee bar, an expansion from the business’s downtown location. Others roamed through the new Early Learning Center. In the fall, the ECEAP-funded center will accept 40 preschool-aged children.
Students’ paintings and drawings cover the walls. A shadow box holds all the schools’ custom face masks, relics from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Work on the building officially began in June 2022 when Dawson Construction broke ground. Less than two years later, district administration has fully moved in, following a brief displacement for some staff to Bellingham High School after pipes burst and flooded their historic office in January.
Sustainability was also at the forefront of the district’s mind as they designed the building with RMC Architects.
The building is fully electric, and large cross-laminated timber beams support the structure and frame the common area. Fresh air is constantly cycled through the building, and large windows increase natural light and further reduce energy spent on electricity.
It meets Fitwel standards, which certifies buildings that fall into their “vision for a healthier future.” Essentially, each part of the building’s design has purpose, whether it be to increase mobility or collaboration or sustainability, said Corey Ayers, the district’s capital projects manager.
“The idea behind it is that it’s designed to get people up and moving and interacting to feel happier and healthier,” Ayers said.
The district plans to sell the 116-year-old building that has served as their office for the last several decades.
Hailey Hoffman is a CDN visual journalist; reach her at haileyhoffman@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 103.
