Catlin Gabel Schnitzer Center

The new Schnitzer Center at Catlin Gabel will be the future heart of the campus for students, faculty, alumni and community members to come together in one place for connection, celebration and wellness. The design of the Schnitzer Center expresses the school’s identity and welcoming, inclusive and sustainable values through an integrated program that promotes nature and wellbeing. 

Designed by Opsis, the new center features multi-use learning spaces to support student health, behavior and academic performance, including student dining, athletics and wellness, alumni and school history and community spaces to support events like graduation. Built into the steep terrain at the entry of campus, the Schnitzer Center seamlessly connects with the natural setting of the campus. 

The use of mass timber emerged through detailed exploration of the school’s context, celebrating the historic agriculture identity of the campus while providing the warmth and textural expression unique to the Pacific Northwest. The design of the 800 seat gymnasium features 16 pitched, tapered glulam beams spanning 112 feet, offering generous ceiling heights for the indoor courts and creating a memorable experience for student athletes and spectators. The design team engaged Sustainable Northwest to assist in tracing and tracking tribal-sourced glulam columns and beams from the Yakama Nation. Exterior Accoya wood cladding and a combination of exposed wood throughout the interior blends outdoor and indoor environments and promotes connections to nature. 

Mass Plywood Panels (MPP), manufactured by Freres Engineered Wood, are incorporated into the project's stair system. The Schnitzer Center provides a durable, flexible environment that supports the evolving needs of the Catlin Gabel community while reinforcing the school's commitment to collaboration, wellness, and connection.