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University of Washington

University of Washington Campus Space Optimization

Identifying projects to increase student time spent on campus within capital constraints

UW Bothell is a 6,000-student, 1MM SF, predominantly commuter campus north of Seattle. The University’s master plan calls for a significant expansion of academic and residential space to support an enrollment of 10,000 students with growth from 600 to 2,000 living on campus. The COVID pandemic opened up multiple possible future scenarios for campus success. The University needed to identify near and medium-term projects that will increase student time spent on campus and actualize within constrained capital budgets. MKThink analyzed the utilization of the current campus at the room level to identify low-utilization space that could be repurposed for high-value activity. Concurrently, the team worked with University leadership to define and prioritize projects that improve the campus experience without requiring the construction of new space.  

BREAKDOWN:

DATES: January - October 2022
CITY: Seattle
STATE: Washington
SIZE/SCALE: 1MM SF
MARKET: Higher Education

PROJECT:

CHALLENGE: The COVID pandemic opened up multiple possible future scenarios for campus success. The University needed to identify near and medium-term projects that will increase student time spent on campus and be delivered within constrained capital budgets. 
APPROACH: MKThink analyzed the utilization of the current campus at the room level to identify low utilization space that could be repurposed for high-value activity. Concurrently, we worked with University leadership to define and prioritize projects that improve the campus experience without requiring the construction of new space. 
RESULT: The result was recapturing 74,000 ASF (123,000 GSF) of underutilized space, resulting in up to $148MM cost avoidance. Additionally, there was optimization of instructional space and schedule to support 2.5x the current enrollment without new construction. Finally, there was activation of 24,500 SF of underutilized prime indoor and outdoor space to facilitate service delivery, community interaction, and increase student time spent on campus.. 
METRICS OF SUCCESS: Recaptured 40,000 ASF of office space through office redesign and space-sharing policies. Recaptured 32,000 ASF of library book stack and bookstore space through compact and off-site storage solutions and increased classroom utilization from 30 to 45 hours per week and up to 51 if incorporating weekend classes.
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