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The University of Washington today revealed the choice of Studio Tsien for the design of the Ana Mari Cauce Welcome Center. The UW Architectural Commission recommended this in June.

The New York-based firm, headed by Billie Tsien, Jennifer Dempsey, and Alex Odom, was selected following a nationwide search. The Commission members were captivated by Studio Tsien’s notable expertise in designing public structures, its innovative approach, and its leaders’ dedication to genuine collaboration. The firm’s creations evoke profound sensory, emotional, and transformative designs that embody the institution’s values.

Principal architect Billie Tsien is a globally recognized and award-winning designer celebrated for her groundbreaking work on significant cultural and civic projects. Among her prior commissions, as a founding partner of Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, alongside Tod Williams, are the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York, and various edifices on college and university campuses.

“For numerous students and families, the Ana Mari Cauce Welcome Center will be the initial point of contact on the UW campus. This will be a starting point, a bridge that signifies the commencement of a voyage to uncover their passions, skills, and potential,” stated UW Provost Tricia Serio. “This collaboration with a prestigious architectural firm provides a chance to create a space that mirrors the UW’s vision, principles, and prestige.”

Named after the University of Washington’s departing president, the Ana Mari Cauce Welcome Center will function as an entryway for prospective and current students, families, alumni, and the community. In an era when the number of high school graduates is anticipated to fall, the Center will facilitate UW in forging connections with future generations of Huskies. The building will serve as a central hub on campus where individuals can learn about the University’s mission and the influence UW researchers and alumni are having on communities throughout our region, the state of Washington, the nation, and worldwide. The Welcome Center will also feature dynamic multipurpose areas to meet the University’s evolving requirements.

“We are excited to participate in this initiative which fundamentally is about welcome. We all require a sense of belonging to foster curiosity and learning,” Tsien remarked. “Together, we will design a structure that physically represents UW’s vision: a space that motivates, connects, and empowers future generations.”

In the upcoming weeks and months, Studio Tsien will commence collaboration with the UW by meeting with stakeholders, spending time on campus, and starting the design process for an exceptional building.

The UW Architectural Commission consists of leading professionals in architecture and urban planning from across the nation, including faculty from the UW College of Built Environments. Established in 1957, the Commission provides guidance on campus design, planning, and preservation by reviewing projects and ensuring the aesthetic, functional, and environmental integrity of university spaces. The Commission collaborates with a UW Project Slating Committee, made up of university officials and construction partners, to compile a list of potential architecture firms.

The $61 million project will primarily receive funding through philanthropic contributions. Pacific Northwest-based Lease Crutcher Lewis has been selected as the general contractor. Construction is anticipated to commence in late 2026 and finish in 2028.

For further details, reach out to Victor Balta at [email protected] or 206-543-2580.

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