ASUW Shell House

Re-emergence of a Community Landmark

The rehabilitation of the ASUW Shell House preserves and breathes new life into an historic building with a storied past, from seaplane hangar to the home of UW Rowing and George Pocock’s renowned rowing shell workshop, famously chronicled in The Boys in the Boat. Improvements showcase the architecture’s lacy wood trusses and patina, introduce a glazed facade with sliding doors for water views and expand accessibility along the Montlake Cut.  After decades of inactivity the Shell House is ready to re-emerge as a place for community to gather, learn and celebrate.

Supporting the Next 100 Years

The renovated Shell House will serve as a versatile gathering space. The main level, designed to support seminars and gatherings, will feature a flexible event space surrounded by exhibits highlighting the eras of history on site from the indigenous history, to military training years to the building’s rowing history. Pocock’s mezzanine workshop will host exhibits and transport the visitor back to the era of hand-built wooden racing shells. Key upgrades include preserving and strengthening the historic wood trusses, adding modern restrooms and HVAC systems while enhancing the visitor connection to the unique waterfront environment just beyond the buildings south facade.

Connecting to History and Place

The rehabilitation acknowledges the site’s layered history, including its use by Coast Salish peoples, and seeks to honor these communities through exhibits and programs. The ASUW Shell House is a one-of-a-kind building where incredible things have happened over the past 108 years.  Following this rehabilitation it will be ready to kick off the next 100 years.  It was first built as a place for airplanes.  It later became a place for boats.  It will next become a place for people.