Project Vision
Our Transformational Remodel
Since 1964, the University of Washington Haring Center for Inclusive Education has provided innovative special education and early learning, improving the lives of children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders and other disabilities. But the building that’s home to this work was antiquated, overcrowded and badly in need of a comprehensive overhaul. Thanks to a generous $30 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation in 2021 along with generous contributions from The Norcliffe Foundation, Alyssa and Bill Sunderland, Anu and Satya Nadella, and Margo and Tom Wyckoff, the UW was able to renovate the existing facility to continue to provide leading-edge services.
The remodels vital and exciting upgrades include:
- Renewed the positive and identifying elements of the existing Haring Center building, including visual access to Lake Washington, rich interior materials and the simple and welcoming courtyard forms;
- Added meeting spaces for training and collaboration between the three units (the EEU school, the Research Team and the Professional Development team) at the center;
- Comprehensive classroom improvements to enhance learning and observation spaces;
- Office and support areas are now up to a contemporary workplace standard, to enhance flexibility and staff morale and to encourage more collaboration between staff and visitors.
- Mitigated all health and safety issues and hazardous materials throughout the Haring Center
Learn more about the vision of the project and how our partners Mithun and Lease Cruther Lewis worked with us to make it a reality:
“I hear peals of laughter and remember the magic of working in this building with so many talented and dedicated researchers, teachers, professional development staff, and others” – Dr. Ilene Schwartz