The Hangar At Kenmore Town Square / Graham Baba Architects

Architects: Graham Baba Architects
Area: 4,600 sq ft (Hangar); 24,000 sq ft (Town Square)
Year: 2015
Photography: Andrew Pogue
Lead Architects: Jim Graham
Architects Team: Maureen O’Leary, Leann Crist, Ross Eckert
Landscape Architecture: HEWITT Landscape Architects
Structural Engineering: Harriott Valentine Engineering
Civil Engineering: KPFF
Electrical Engineering: PAE Engineers
Lighting Design: Luma
Acoustical Design: ARUP
Client: City of Kenmore
City: Kenmore, Washington
Country: United States

The Hangar at Kenmore Town Square by Graham Baba Architects serves as a civic centerpiece in downtown Kenmore, Washington. Envisioned as a flexible public pavilion, the 4,600-square-foot structure anchors a 24,000-square-foot square that provides an adaptable setting for community gatherings throughout the year. With a sweeping roofline and expansive glazing, the Hangar fosters visual and physical connections between interior and exterior spaces. A large bi-fold window wall opens fully to the plaza, creating a continuous zone for events and informal recreation. Designed to meet the 2030 Challenge, the project exceeds energy performance targets, achieving a 79 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to a typical building of its size and type. Employing radiant heating, natural ventilation, and durable, low-maintenance materials, the Hangar demonstrates how thoughtful civic architecture can balance functionality, environmental stewardship, and community identity.

The hangar at kenmore town square / graham baba architects

At the heart of Kenmore’s revitalized downtown, The Hangar at Kenmore Town Square redefines what a civic gathering space can be for a contemporary community. Designed by Graham Baba Architects, the project acts as both a physical and symbolic living room for the city, drawing people together across seasons and activities. The structure’s simplicity conceals a nuanced flexibility: it can open completely to the public plaza on mild days or close down to become a sheltered venue during inclement weather. This responsiveness to climate and use forms the essence of its design intent.

The pavilion’s architectural expression is grounded in clarity and material honesty. A 24-foot-wide bi-fold window wall merges the interior assembly space with the landscaped plaza, while the broad roof overhang extends the building’s protective canopy outward. This gesture not only shelters visitors but visually connects the Hangar to its context, where a fountain and heated rocks encourage lingering even in Washington’s damp winters. The roof’s inverted plane rises subtly toward the adjacent park, creating a clerestory that fills the interior with diffuse daylight and transforms the structure into a glowing beacon after dark.

Inside, the design prioritizes adaptability and community use. The main hall can be partitioned for classes, performances, or meetings, and is supported by thoughtful details such as integrated cabinetry and storage lockers for local groups. A double-sided fireplace forms a central gathering point, while a polished concrete floor with hydronic heating ensures comfort and durability. The material palette—cedar siding, exposed plywood SIP panels, steel framing, and metal roofing—was chosen for longevity and minimal maintenance, expressing both civic responsibility and regional sensibility.

Beyond its architectural qualities, The Hangar exemplifies sustainable design leadership. Exceeding the 2030 Challenge energy target by a wide margin, the project integrates passive and active systems with precision. A high-efficiency VRF heat pump and radiant floor system minimize energy use, while heat recovery ventilators and large ceiling fans maintain comfort and air quality. The envelope’s performance surpasses Washington State’s energy code by 15 percent, confirming the building’s commitment to reducing environmental impact.

As an enduring public asset, The Hangar at Kenmore Town Square stands as a model of how modest scale, technical rigor, and civic ambition can converge to shape the identity of a growing community. It invites participation, adapts to its surroundings, and projects a warm presence—an emblem of Kenmore’s investment in shared spaces and sustainable design for the future.