The Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center at the University of Washington stands as a historic pillar of student diversity, originally constructed in 1970 as one of the first facilities of its kind in the United States. The initial 8,000 sf structure was designed by Ben McAdoo, the first African American architect licensed in Washington state, to serve four student organizations. Over the decades, the center's immense popularity caused it to outgrow its footprint, expanding its reach to support more than 60 diverse student groups seeking dedicated spaces for cultural crafts, performances, culinary activities, meetings, and informal gatherings.

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To meet this growing demand, Rolluda Architects collaborated closely with university stakeholders to program and design a completely new 26,000 sf replacement facility. The resulting three-story center dramatically scales up the university's capacity by offering modern student offices, cooperative workspaces, a computer lab, versatile conference rooms, and specialized performance practice areas. Architecturally, the building opens up through a central atrium that connects welcoming communal spaces, a strategic mix of private and open offices, and comprehensive kitchen facilities. Rooted in sustainable design principles, the facility prioritizes natural daylighting and passive ventilation alongside resource-efficient mechanical and electrical systems, ultimately achieving its goal of LEED Gold certification.