Nisqually Power Station

• Approximate size:11,000 square feet
• Tacoma, WA
• Adaptive re-use of a regional power substation
• Maintain and celebrate the historic character of the neighborhood.
• Restoring responsibly by utilizing modern technology and energy-saving materials and systems provides the community with a safe, efficient, and sustainable building now and into the future.

“We must meet the needs of the current generation without compromising the ability or opportunity for future generations to meet their needs.”

The historic Nisqually power station in Tacoma, Washington refused to be a relic of a bygone age. Instead, it will face the next chapter of its history as a vital component of n historic and vibrant neighborhood. Listed in the Washington Heritage Register in 2001, the substation was designed by Hamilton F. Gronen, Chief engineer for the City of Tacoma, and built by the contractors, Blows, and Tuell in 1911. With over11,000 square feet, the Nisqually Power Substation consists of two structures, the main transformer building and a much smaller storehouse with a brick wall enclosed material yard connecting the companion buildings. The buildings and the courtyard display a unified common design that is imparted using high-quality materials including hard burned clinker brick and Wilkinson sandstone. The main building of the Nisqually Substation is a lofty hipped roof, a two-story structure that sits on the corner of25th and C streets. The building looms over much of the surrounding brick masonry neighborhood and reinforces its industrial heritage and robust character. SmithCo received a directive to obtain approval from the Tacoma Historical Commission to replace the 100-year-old wood windows with metal windows. Along with providing an exhaustive building survey, and identifying and clarifying existing conditions, SmithCo was able to obtain approval to replace the windows to the exact profiles and original color in metal, one of the first historic building to have this approved in the district.