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
Experience the Haring Center’s impressive improvements with this virtual video tour:
How You Can Support This Project
The Haring Center Renovation Project has raised $36.5 million to date our $38 million dollar goal. To make up the remaining cost, we are asking our amazing community to help us spread the word and to join us in helping us finalize our project.
Since the doors of our newly renovated Center opened in early 2024, the day-to-day experiences for our youngest learners have vastly improved—from better access at pick-up to drop-off to improved classroom layout that provide more opportunities for outdoor and movement activities in the larger and more flexible indoor and outdoor play and community spaces. Improved observation spaces will make it easier for families to observe their children, and increased community space will provide opportunities for family members to gather and build relationships.
If you’re interested in financially supporting this project, contact Lauren Jones (laurem2@uw.edu).