Adapting industrial function for environmental education.
Originally built in 1914 as an Office and Laboratory for the Washington Portland Cement Company (WPCC), the concrete, Neo-Classical Baker Club House is a contributing structure of the WPCC Historic District. SHKS Architects rehabilitated the Club House into an interpretive visitors center with educational exhibits addressing the history of WPCC, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and the natural, geological, and cultural legacy of the region. Exterior repairs include removal of paint and previous building alterations, repairs to cracked and de-laminated concrete, and restoration of original wood windows and doors. A sensitive approach retained the visible aging of the interior and removed a portion of the plaster to expose the concrete structural system.
The surrounding topography is sculpted to provide an accessible entry into the Club House and connects to interpretive site paths that encourage visitors to explore the industrial landscape. The project also included construction of a new comfort station and picnic pavilion on the foundation of a no longer extant 1925 cottage.
