Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

University building with on-site energy generation and storage

Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

University building with on-site energy generation and storage

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Kaiser Borsari Hall (right), Western Washington University, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Building in Bellingham, WA, USA.

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    Presentation of the Holcim Awards 2023 Bronze for North America

    For Kaiser Borsari Hall, Bellingham, WA, USA (l-r): Laura Viscovich, Executive Director, Holcim Foundation; Craig Dykers (Chair of Jury), Founding Partner of Snøhetta, New York, USA; Ryan Bussard and Devin Kleiner, Perkins&Will, USA; and Priya Pawar, Program Manager – Holcim Awards, Holcim Foundation.

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    Holcim Awards 2023 prize announcement - Kaiser Borsari Hall

    Presenting the Holcim Awards 2023 Bronze winner for North America - Kaiser Borsari Hall.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Zero energy and zero carbon.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    System integration.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Energy use reduction and building performance.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Timber innovation.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Forest bathing and biophilic design.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Site context.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Level 1 floor plan.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Exploded axonometric diagram.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Arboretum viewports.

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    Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

    Project team.

  • Awards Bronze 2023 North America

A university building with on-site energy generation and storage that achieves a 63% reduction in embodied carbon and a 100% reduction in operational carbon, designed according to International Living Future Institute “smart building” standards.

By Devin Kleiner - Perkins&Will, Seattle, Washington, USA and

Western Washington University’s (WWU) new 5,000 square meter Kaiser Borsari Hall is a breakthrough facility – it will be the first higher education STEM building to track zero energy and zero carbon certification through the International Living Future Institute (ILFI) in the United States. The facility is a mass timber/cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure designed according to International Living Future Institute “smart building” standards. It includes on-site energy generation and battery technology storage, and creates a natural corridor to the core campus. The project will achieve a 63% reduction in embodied carbon compared to conventional approaches, and a 100% reduction in operational carbon.

Kaiser Borsari Hall

Project authors

  • Devin Kleiner

    Perkins&Will

    USA

  • Ryan Bussard

    Perkins&Will

    USA

  • Andy Clinch

    Perkins&Will

    USA

  • Susan Clark

    Perkins&Will

    USA

  • Shanni Hanein

    Perkins&Will

    USA

  • Anthony Gianopoulos

    Perkins&Will

    USA

Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

System integration.

The existing site is being transformed from an impermeable parking lot into an environmentally friendly building surrounded by a native and climate-adaptive plant palette. The direct connection to Sehome Hill Arboretum provides a unique opportunity to employ a diverse selection of species for bearers, pollinators, and foragers to encourage a habitat bridge from the arboretum to the core campus. STEM for Everyone WWU’s STEM enrollment growth, combined with the state of Washington’s goals to expand opportunities in science, technology, and engineering education, created a need for this facility. The project brings together the newly formed electrical engineering department and the computer science department into one space, creating multi-disciplinary learning environments and collaboration, teaming, and office spaces.

Project status: Under construction, construction commenced May 2023.

The project considers functionality and sustainability, and successfully pushes boundaries for the integration of engineering systems and energy storage. Holcim Awards 2023 Jury for North America

Holcim Awards 2023 prize announcement - Kaiser Borsari Hall

Presenting the Holcim Awards 2023 Bronze winner for North America - Kaiser Borsari Hall.

Project authors

Jury appraisal

The jury panel found this to be a very solid project with an interesting infrastructure program. The project team demonstrated a comprehensive and well-thought-out approach to infrastructure design, considering both functionality and sustainability. The jury panel also recognized the project as particularly successful for its ability to push boundaries, especially in the integration of engineering systems and a significant amount of energy storage. The project team demonstrated a commendable approach to addressing these challenges, resulting in a well-executed solution able to set a new standard for future campus projects. 

By incorporating native plants and implementing efficient water management strategies, the project team also showcased their dedication to preserving the environment, fostering biodiversity and promoting responsible water usage. The jury found the embodied carbon emission number high but attributed it to the unique approach of hosting energy storage within the scheme of the building.

Kaiser Borsari Hall in USA

Arboretum viewports.

Project updates