Whatcom Learning Commons

Location: Bellingham
Space Type:  Higher Education
Completed: 2020
Partners: Schreiber Starling Whitehead Architects
Manufacturing Partners: KI, Teknion, Claridge, Encore, Makr

Project Overview

Whatcom Community College Learning Commons is a three story 63,000 square foot building. The building serves the students with general classrooms, a tech center, a media center, and tutoring and writing labs. It also houses the library which supports the students and staff with additional offices, testing centers break out rooms, quiet study centers, computer labs, and open areas for lounging and studying. There are also two large outdoor decks with seating and tables for additional work and lounge spaces.

Workpointe worked closely with Schreiber Starling Whitehead Architects to make sure colors, finishes and overall aesthetics worked well with the entire building concept. The project also featured several custom conference tables from KI. Special media cabinets from Makr were created to accommodate a media rack with cooling fans, access panels and finishes. Installing projects during 2020 under COVID-19 limitations was a big learning curve for everyone in the industry and Workpointe was not alone. Making sure we were not only meeting state and campus standards but keeping our own employees and customers as safe as possible while still meeting installation deadlines was a huge accomplishment.