A commissary kitchen in South Seattle.

OSL Serves is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that for 35 years has served nutritionally dense, culturally appropriate, and medically sensitive meals to people experiencing homelessness in the Seattle region. After operating for years out of several small kitchens scattered throughout the city, their new Commissary project located in South Seattle provides them the opportunity to consolidate their operations and to significantly increase the amount of meals they can provide for those in need. The project is an example of our belief that the definition of design, and design excellence, is not just limited to aesthetic decisions, but rather encompasses the important aspects of project management, technical resolution, and team coordination. Working with a limited budget and an extremely tight schedule, RHA provided permitting and technical coordination for the project, serving as an important intermediary between client and general contractor. Construction was completed under budget and within five months.

Seattle WA, Completed 2024
Project Team: Robert Hutchison, Scott Claassen, Xiaoxi Jiao
Client: OSL Serves
General Contractor: Metis Construction
Photographer: Carlton Canary