Wheaton Way Workforce Housing

In Bremerton’s ‘East Side Village’, a transformation is underway. Dominated by medical office buildings (MOBs) and the old Harrison Hospital, this neighborhood provides ample opportunities for redevelopment. The first building to undergo transformation is located just off Wheaton Way, which will be converted by the team at Rice Fergus Miller into workforce housing.

Formerly a mid-century-esque MOB, the building had a few random vertical concrete elements with mansard roofs; a portrait of a former era. Seeking to build upon the existing architecture rather than extensively reconstruct the building, the design team at RFM added several additional vertical fin elements to create a regular cadence, and applied perforated metal screens to modernize the look while providing shading to minimize solar gain.

Playing off Bremerton’s naval influence, the building is now modernized on the exterior as well as interior. The studios, 1- and 2-bedroom units are inspired by the theme ‘portholes and peacoats’ and feature a modern nautical aesthetic.