STEILACOOM H BARN

Location: Fort Steilacoom Park - Lakewood, WA
Type: Commercial

The City of Lakewood engaged us to restore the beloved but deteriorating 1930s dairy barn in Fort Steilacoom Park into a vibrant, flexible community and events center. The vision is to create a pivotal gathering place that will serve diverse user groups and accommodate a wide range of activities, ensuring the building remains an activated community asset for generations to come.

At the center of the restoration is the barn’s failing structural spine, currently at risk of collapse. Rebuilding this core is both a technical necessity and a design opportunity. The intervention will respect the barn’s historic footprint while clearly distinguishing new work from old, in alignment with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.

Inside, the H Barn will be transformed into a flexible civic and community gathering space. Two event halls provide seating for up to 384 people, complemented by a classroom, conference and green rooms, a warming kitchen with pass-through service, and a welcoming reception lobby. The restored H Barn will layer new community functions within a historic framework, honoring Lakewood’s agricultural past while providing a civic landmark for the future.

Images: Graham Baba Architects