The Olympia Press Building, located in downtown Olympia, encompasses an earlier structure called the James Martin Warehouse. Both structures were designed by Joseph Wohleb in 1922 and 1930.
The design intent for this adaptive reuse project was to uncover the building’s historic character, showcasing its structure of lattice bow trusses, board-formed concrete walls, heavy timber and steel framing, and concrete floors stained from the newspaper presses that had helped document the story of the community. Our client wanted a space that could be used for small and large gatherings, a warm and inviting place that provided a sense of comfort and home, a new space where the warmth and rich textures of the historic materials would be complemented by new construction with a simple palette of glass. white sculptural display walls, black metal railings and structural steel, and unfinished timber framing.
