The Auburn community came together to revitalize their historic 1939 Post Office into a space to support community arts and culture. The project team found inspiration in the building’s original structure. Demolition of the interior walls, bulky column wraps, and suspended plaster ceiling have resulted in an open space with high ceilings, allowing ample natural light deep into the interior. Newly revealed raw structure merge with refined elements, like the building’s original terrazzo floors and plaster moldings, to create a unique backdrop for classrooms, galleries, art studios, and community spaces.

The first floor of the project is dominated by gallery spaces and an artist-in-residence studio. A main-floor gift shop will serve as a revenue-generator while giving local artists an opportunity to promote and sell their work. A catering kitchen and/or café will strengthen the vision of the Auburn Arts Center as a community event space. In a future phase, the renovated basement level will feature teaching spaces for community-based arts classes, performance rehearsal spaces, and additional studios.

With the demolition phase of the interior nearing completion, restoration of the original divided-lite windows, roof, and building envelope is ongoing. Johnston Architects completed the final design and documentation, with construction beginning in 2021. Serving as architect and interior designer, JA has performed master planning, programming assistance, and ROM budget estimating, and is also completing design drawings, performing sub-consultant management, and is responsible for construction administration in a highly-collaborative effort with the City of Auburn Parks Department.

LOCATION Auburn, WA
AREA 4,482 SF
COMPLETED 2023
PHOTOGRAPHY Will Austin

RECOGNITION
2024 AIA Washington Council Civic Design Award, Merit
2023 John D. Spellman Award for Achievement in Historic Preservation
2023 Seattle DJC
2022 Green Building + Design
2021 Seattle DJC