Student Work

Course Description

THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE AND CAFE

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

Project Description

This project reimagines a disused Seattle City Light substation in Magnolia as a lively center for art, gathering, and community exchange. Instead of erasing the site’s history, the design adapts the existing structure to meet today’s needs while celebrating the character of the surrounding neighborhood. By transforming an industrial relic into a shared resource, the project demonstrates how adaptive reuse can strengthen local identity and create new opportunities for connection.

South Elevation.

Drawing inspiration from Magnolia’s sloping topography and patterns of movement, the design integrates pathways, courtyards, and layered spaces that guide visitors through the site. Key features include artist housing, flexible gallery spaces, a communal kitchen and event area, and a welcoming café that anchors the site as a public gathering place. Together, these elements foster collaboration among artists and residents while inviting neighbors to engage with creative work. The project highlights how thoughtful reuse of existing infrastructure can spark new cultural energy and deepen community ties.

Site Plan.

 

Cafe Render.

 

Images from THE ARTIST COLLECTIVE AND CAFE.