Washington Hall is brick on wood framing. While it is not an unreinforced masonry building according to the masonry bearing wall definition, inadequate anchorage of the brick veneer, especially on the south wall, presented a public hazard. Many bricks had shifted out-of-plane due to years of seismic activity by the time the renovation occurred. Shear strength was insufficient in both interior and exterior walls. The west wall of the auditorium, at which an offset in floor levels occurs, provided both a structural challenge and an opportunity to strengthen the building as a whole.

Application of plywood sheathing was the main technique used. Because the east and west portions are at different levels, much of the new structure was embedded in the wall between these two sides, behind the stage. The balcony was re-anchored. A subtle insert into the building allowed additional structure as well as accessibility upgrades (an elevator shaft). Original interior wainscoting was retained and put back in place when necessary.

OUTCOME AND IMPACT

Washington Hall uses the lowest-tech solutions of the case studies included in this project, but in many ways has the most significant community impact. It provides value to underserved communities, and currently houses a hip-hop education group and recording studio. It is both integrated into and symbolic of the Central District neighborhood. Washington Hall also shows how a portion of new construction inserted into an existing building can add both structural support and value to tenants. The seismic upgrade was folded in with a number of other upgrades, such as accessibility, allowing holistic solutions for the building to occur. While Washington Hall is now designated a Seattle city landmark, it did not receive that designation until after its purchase by Historic Seattle. Without this advocacy, Washington Hall may very well have been demolished by now. How many other valuable buildings in Seattle may be similarly overlooked?