Hugo House
Hugo House is a place for writers. It is also a Seattle institution, and when the original Hugo House was torn down and replaced with a multi-use building, NBBJ took on the interiors scope for the new space. Along with classrooms, a theatre, and office space, there are a handful of smaller booths and niches where writers can hole up on their own, and quotes from namesake Richard Hugo appear in unexpected places. Letters written by Hugo create a reflected roof line over the reception desk.
Room signage was fabricated from wood wall offcuts to reduce waste and cost while also creating a sense of consistency throughout. A donor recognition wall uses a similar procedure of laser etching wood slats, reminiscent of book spines. An installation in one of the classrooms celebrates a vibrant array of the writer's most basic instrument: the pencil.
Client: Hugo House
Firm: NBBJ
My Role: Design Development, Documentation, Artwork & Signage Fabrication, Installation
As a pro-bono project, team members worked to fabricate and install many of the XD installations themselves. Signage was fabricated at our in-house model shop.
Project Goals: Create a welcoming space to inspire creativity and retain the charm and character of the original Hugo House.
