Mukilteo Ferry Terminal 

The Mukilteo Ferry Terminal creates an important junction, not only connecting people from lands across the Salish Sea, but also between past and present. Its cultural significance transcends its function as a piece of transit infrastructure. The project is located on the site where the 1855 Point Elliott Treaty was signed, guaranteeing perpetual hunting and fishing rights to the tribes on their ancestral lands. The project illustrates how sensitive placemaking, inclusive engagement, and environmental awareness can redefine architecture and pay homage to a site’s historic roots. The terminal incorporates the cultural influence of the Pacific Northwest’s native people and includes sustainable elements that demonstrate the commitment to environmental stewardship.

The design, derived through close collaboration with Coast Salish Tribes, enriches the passenger experience, streamlining circulation and managing patron flows with intuitive wayfinding thru a daylight-filled space with views to land and sea that help orient ferry riders. Tribal cultural motifs created by Native American artists Kate Ahvakana, Joe Gobin, Earl Davis, and James Madison create a strong sense of place.

The project represents what is possible when the community and a multidisciplinary team collaborate in support of a shared vision.