“Stripped Classicism” meets innovation at the Engineering Annex. This building has a rich history tied to the University of Washington. Let’s delve into the story of the Engineering Annex.
Originally constructed in 1909 for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exhibition, the Engineering Annex cost a mere $12,000. WNG Place designed it. After the fair, the Engineering Annex transformed into the university’s foundry. Imagine horses stabled here pulling wagons of coal to fuel the UW’s power plant. The Engineering Annex also housed paint and electrical shops.
In 1920, the Engineering Annex expanded. Frame additions with brick veneer were added to the north and south. For a while, it housed the Mechanical Engineering Department’s machine shops.
A significant remodel occurred in 1961. Richard Boullion’s architectural plans reshaped the Engineering Annex’s upper levels. The Mechanical Engineering Department found a new home here. Environmental studies and the Industrial & Systems Engineering’s Integrated Learning Factory also moved in. This learning center received funding from a National Science Foundation grant. The College of Engineering provided matching funds.
Over the years, the Engineering Annex has adapted to house various UW organizations. Today, the Engineering Annex is home to several departments. These include Mechanical Engineering and Industrial and Systems Engineering. You’ll also find Human Centered Design & Engineering here. Materials Science & Engineering and the CoE Dean’s Office are also located in the Engineering Annex.
The Engineering Annex stands as a testament to the university’s growth. It reflects the evolving needs of engineering education. From its humble beginnings as a foundry to its current role as a modern learning center, the Engineering Annex continues to shape future engineers. Its walls hold stories of innovation, adaptation, and academic excellence.