Opsis Celebrates Central Washington University’s Grand Opening of the new North Academic Commons
The doors are officially open at Central Washington University’s (CWU) new North Academic Commons, which CWU President Jim Wohlpart called “one of the most spectacular buildings on any campus in the state of Washington.”
The grand opening brought together CWU leadership, students, faculty, representatives from the Yakama Nation and other Tribes, elected officials, community leaders and our project team for a ribbon cutting and a first look inside the new building.
Opsis designed the North Academic Commons to foster connection and collaboration, creating new opportunities for interdisciplinary learning while redefining the gateway to campus. The project features active learning classrooms, a TED Talk-style lecture hall, a mock courtroom, student-centered gathering spaces and a soaring mass timber atrium filled with natural light. It also advances CWU’s sustainability goals through a groundbreaking geothermal system, rooftop solar and a path toward LEED Gold certification.
Congratulations to CWU, our partner and everyone who helped bring this vision to life. We’re proud to celebrate the grand opening of a place designed to support the next generation of learners, leaders and changemakers.
Opsis served as the Design Architect with NAC Architecture as Prime Architect for the North Academic Commons.
