Bellingham Public Schools Administrative Offices

When Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) approached RMC Architects to design their new administrative office building they had several key goals: to create a mobile, open-office work setting; to promote sustainability, health, and well-being within the building; and to ensure that the result was an environment that not only welcomed the community but demonstrated the District’s stewardship of community assets. To honor the District’s robust Climate Action Plan, cross-laminated timber (CLT) was chosen as the primary building material.

As a school district and a community institution, the range of meaningful physiological and psychological benefits of wood combined with its low carbon footprint made it the obvious choice. In addition to the open workspaces, the three-story, 53,000 sf building includes multiple professional learning and conference rooms, an early learning center, a wellness room, a bike storage area, and a central common space with a cafe.

The building supports 11,000 BPS students, their families, and all District employees.