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Creating a Campus That Reflects Its People and Place
The University of Washington Tacoma is experiencing a moment of transformation. With an influx of new students expected over the next few years, the campus must grow, not just physically, but socially, culturally, and environmentally. This project emerged during UW Tacoma’s ongoing master planning process in collaboration with the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), offering a unique opportunity for students to contribute visionary ideas aligned with real institutional change.
In response, our team grounded our design in a shared set of values. We envisioned a campus where people don’t just pass through but feel like they belong. Accessibility and equity were at the forefront, with an emphasis on universal design and welcoming spaces for all. We sought to reflect Tacoma’s diverse communities and Indigenous history through public art and planting choices, while embedding sustainability through stormwater strategies and walkable connections. At the heart of it all was a desire to reconnect the fractured campus, socially and physically, and create a unified sense of place.
