Fish and Wildlife

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Biosecurity Facility is located in Lakewood, WA south of the Lakewood Fish Hatchery in the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area. The proposed new facility would encompass two new buildings, deliberately programmed to fully support WDFW’s vital work.  A 6,050 sf main building would house office, laboratory, and support functions.  A separate 11,200 sf oil spill facility would normally store vehicles, boats, and trailers but would be emptied and mobilized for sea mammal rehabilitation and oil spill management during oil spill events.

The design of the Health and Biosecurity building integrates the concept of dissection, using light, boundaries, and views as defining elements that create significant architectural moments. This concept is articulated through the roof, walls, and overall layout of the project. The main and Oil Spill building forms while different scales, mirror each other, presenting a cohesive facility on approach. The boundaries and orientation of the building establish a unique hierarchy, transitioning from secured private areas to public and landscape area that is crucial for the project’s functionality, all while respecting and harmonizing with the context of its environment.

Exterior and interior materiality reflects the area’s natural beauty and the utilitarian nature of the buildings’ contained functions, with metal and green fiber cement board siding accompanying plywood exterior soffits and interior finish ceilings with generous windows and skylights allowing views to the outside.

Design Principles

·         Marine Health

·         Conservation/ Stewardship

·         Partnerships

·         Intuitive Flow/ Ease of Use

·         Highly Effective