The Academic Building and the Class Lab Building both boast five-story atriums. Wood from massive old-growth timbers that were removed to make room for the atriums was remilled and used as paneling. Wilson's favorite campus feature is the library reading room, which occupies the former Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transformer House. Built in 1902 and in service until 1958, the building was in ruins and full of pigeons when the architects got hold of it, said Wilson. Now, the rectangular building with high peaked roof provides a bright and airy space to study.
Overhead hovers the skeleton of giant wooden crane that once hoisted transformers into place.
Now it's the mother of all library ladders, said Wilson. Restoring old buildings is a challenge because they must be brought up to current codes. However, in the case of the UW Tacoma campus, the result has been rewarding.