Goodwill’s new headquarters and training center in Tacoma, WA, is truly innovative in its approach to meeting the organization’s mission of assisting persons who are disabled or disadvantaged. In addition to administrative offices, the 63,000 sq. ft. training facility includes an adaptive computer lab, playcare space for children, life-skills classrooms and REACH, a partnership with schools and agencies serving at-risk youths.

Featured on the project is approximately 7,000 sq. ft. of Citadel Envelope 2000® Rain Screen (RS) panels finished in Sherwood Green and Metallic Silver.

Design for the center was provided by BCRA, Tacoma. “Budget was definitely an issue,” said Bob Katica, principal in charge. “Goodwill wanted program space and their initial budget reflected nearly a tilt-up building. But it was just too prominent of a location in town to go that way. We worked closely with the general contractor to find systems that provided value and quality.”

The Citadel panels interface with brick and concrete cast in place. “We were excited about the Citadel panels because we wanted a product that was durable and didn’t oil can. We loved the idea that we could have pre-formed corners. Citadel gave us the monolithic look we wanted.”

The project also includes an interesting 800 sq. ft. “vertical garden” on a lower level two-story concrete wall. The feature was designed by Patrick Blanc, a French botanist known around the world for turning gardening on its side. The garden includes 96 different native botanical species.

The general contractor on the $21.7 million project was Rushforth Construction, Tacoma. The Citadel distributor was Pacific Architectural Products, Clackamas, OR and the Citadel sales representative was RGA Architectural Sales, Redmond, WA.