Student Work

Course Description

COLUMBIA CITY SUBSTATION

Students: Olivia Ma
Studio: ARCH 301 — Elisa Renouard and Stephen Trigueiro — Winter 2025
Location: Seattle, Washington

Project Description

The Columbia City Substation, once a site of industrial infrastructure, is reimagined as a community art center that sparks creativity and connection. This adaptive reuse project highlights the importance of preserving local landmarks while giving them fresh meaning for contemporary community life. By centering art and creativity, the design breathes new energy into a once-utilitarian space.

Walkway Render.

Drawing from the shared language of currents—both electrical and natural—the project explores how flow, rhythm, and movement inspire human imagination. The design integrates natural elements that invite reflection on the role of the environment in artistic expression. Light, water-inspired forms, and open gathering spaces create an atmosphere where creativity feels alive and accessible. More than just a renovation, the substation’s transformation into an art center offers Columbia City a place to gather, learn, and create together, ensuring the building remains a vital current in the neighborhood’s cultural landscape.

Hybrid Composition and Physical Model.

 

First Floor Plan.

 

Images from COLUMBIA CITY SUBSTATION.