Projects in Construction

Architect's rendering of the east elevation of Kaiser Borsari Hall

Architect's rendering of the east elevation of Kaiser Borsari Hall

Kaiser Borsari Hall

Kaiser Borsari Hall, Western’s new electrical and computer engineering, energy science, and computer science building, will offer unique opportunities to students across disciplines with its net zero energy and carbon design, state-of-the-art labs and experiential learning spaces, active learning classrooms, and collaboration spaces.

Construction start: March 2023
Construction complete: January 2025

Architect's rendering of House of Healing with tall trees in the background

Architect's rendering of the House of Healing

House of Healing

In partnership and close collaboration with Coast Salish tribal nations and the Western Native American Student Union, Western is planning to build a Coast Salish style longhouse, called the House of Healing, in honor of the historic importance of place that it occupies and in acknowledgement of the University’s responsibility to promote educational opportunities for Native students.

Construction start: Summer 2024
Scheduled completion: Summer 2025

More projects

This project is upgrading the electrical infrastructure in Telecom rooms and providing new security and access controls to University Residence buildings in Birnam Wood, Fairhaven, the Ridgeway complex, Edens Hall, Edens North, Higginson. Expect construction noise and exterior door work.

Start Construction: June 2022
Complete Construction: March 2024

Contact Information

Nathan Clark, Project Manager, (360) 650-7720

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project is upgrading fiber backbone cables connecting campus Telecom rooms and providing new security and access controls to Bond Hall, the Biology Building, the Chemistry Building, the Communications Facility, and the Fine Arts Building. Expect construction noise and exterior door work.

Start Construction: March 2023
Complete Construction: August 2024

Contact Information

Nathan Clark, Project Manager, (360) 650-7720

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will relocate two of Western’s outdoor sculptures. The move aims to correct the mis-installation of David Ireland's Bigger Big Chair (2004-7), which symbolizes a “seat of learning” and was intended for the library lawn to connect with the university’s academic core. Its current location outside the main campus prevents proper appreciation, while Richard Beyer’s The Man Who Used to Hunt Cougars for Bounty (1972) would be better suited in the woods near Fairhaven, reflecting its subject’s hunting background.

The sculpture moves are scheduled for September 5th. Please see the construction alert for more information.

Contact Information

Doug MacLean, Project Manager, (360) 650-3791

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will upgrade the backup generators at Viking Commons, Ridgeway Commons, and Fairhaven Academic to allow continued food service operations during a power outage. The project designer is K Engineers, and the general contractor is Dutton Electric Company. Construction officially began in February of this year and Substantial Completion is scheduled for January 2025.

Contact Information

Nathan Clark, Project Manager, (360) 650-7720

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

The men's and women's restrooms on the fifth and sixth floors of the Viking Commons will be renovated to add fixtures, improve ADA accessibility, and create gender neutral restrooms. Construction is scheduled for summer 2024. Expect construction noise and domestic plumbing shutdowns. Notifications will be sent before plumbing shutdowns.

Contact Information

Mark Holsman, Project Manager, (360) 650-4042

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will fully restore the western portion of parking lot 27R at Birnam Wood, including mitigation of stormwater runoff from up-slope. 

Contact Information

Doug MacLean, Project Manager, (360) 650-3791

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will complete site preparation and add utilities for a modular building to house two classrooms and restrooms for the Child Development Center.  

Contact Information

Alexis Blue, Project Manager, (360) 650-6297

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will replace the existing fire alarm system and upgrade existing telecom cables at Edens Hall.

Start Construction: August 2023
Complete Construction: November 2024

Contact Information

Nathan Clark, Project Manager, (360) 650-7720

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will replace the existing fire alarm system at Higginson Hall. 

Contact Information

Nathan Clark, Project Manager, (360) 650-7720

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will replace siding and access bridges on stack 1 and 2 in the Birnam Wood apartments.

Construction Start: May 2024
Construction Complete: September 2024

Contact Information

Doug MacLean, Project Manager, (360) 650-3791

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will renovate the Fairhaven administrative suite to create additional offices and increase efficiency. Construction is planned for summer 2024.

Contact Information

Mark Holsman, Project Manager, (360) 650-4042

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will renovate the Ridgeway Commons for improved food service.

Contact Information

Mark Holsman, Project Manager, (360) 650-4042

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will renovate the commons in the Fairhaven Academic Building for improved food service.

Contact Information

Mark Holsman, Project Manager, (360) 650-4042

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

In May 2024, construction work began to improve 25th Street north of Bill McDonald Drive to the site for the planned House of Healing Coast Salish Longhouse at the south edge of the arboretum, just north of the Commissary Building. This project will improve the road and add sidewalks and utilities to serve the new building.

Construction impacts

Contact Information

Christopher Mead, Project Manager Architect, (360) 650-4005

Stan Wolf, Construction Coordinator, (360) 650-3368

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will modify the level 5 restrooms in the Viking Commons to make them ADA compliant for Veterans Services.

Contact Information

Mark Holsman, Project Manager, (360) 650-4042

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350

This project will replace the hydronic lines in several of the Fairhaven Residence Halls. 

Contact Information

Julian Rodgers, Project Manager, (360) 650-2230

Jonathan Higgins, Director, University Communications, (360) 650-3350