Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Hatchery and Beach Shelter 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST design — resiliency — COMMUNITY

Kingston, Washington

Located on land occupied by the tribe since time immemorial, this project combines pragmatic uses with symbolic content—the fishery is central to both the Tribe’s traditional identity and its contemporary outlook. The 1,800 SF two-story building accommodates both office and utility space for the Tribe’s salmon hatchery program, along with a separate open-air structure used by the Tribal commercial fishing operations. It recognizes the cultural importance of both place and program while providing solutions for these activities to flourish in the 21st century.

The lower level of the hatchery houses a garage, maintenance shop, and egg-incubation room. The upper floor provides space for offices, water-quality testing, and filtration equipment. The conference room on the southwest corner can be entered separately, accessible to the wider community. The second story of the building emerges above Point Julia Drive at eye level to the road. We worked with S’Klallam artist Jimmy Price to create a site-specific installation to mark this arrival point.

The beach shelter provides a work area for fishermen who pull their boats onto the beach. Its high roof encloses both a hard-scape area and a generous slice of beach with sitting logs and a clam-roasting pit. The beach between the two structures is restored with native landscape. This shelter and beach is a community favorite and a stop on the annual tribal and First Nations Canoe Journey.

Green Design: Resilience, landscape restoration, retains original building footprint

Award:
2024 AIA Washington Council Civic Design Award

Featured:
Tideland Magazine
Project of the Week: Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe Hatchery & Beach Shelter