To meet drainage and flow-control requirements while staying above groundwater, our team designed an innovative corrugated metal pipe (CMP) detention system beneath the north parking area and outdoor 3×3 courts.
This approach offered a cost-effective alternative to traditional concrete vaults, reducing both excavation depth and construction cost. The dual-use plaza serves as player and staff parking while converting to two regulation 3×3 basketball courts, requiring precise grading tolerances and integrated drainage to ensure high-performance play surfaces.
All stormwater access points are located outside court zones for player safety. Custom “Seattle Storm” manhole covers, developed in collaboration with the City of Seattle, add a distinctive branded feature to the site. Bioretention planters, designed under the 2021 Seattle Stormwater Code, filter roof runoff before discharging to the public system. To maximize site efficiency, the planters also integrate electric vehicle charging stations within their walls.
The project required close coordination with city agencies to deliver frontage improvements along three streets, address unexpected asphalt deficiencies, and maintain the fast-track construction timeline. During design, the civil team resolved complex routing conflicts between site drainage and building systems to preserve ceiling heights within the pool and recovery spaces — maintaining both functionality and user comfort.
Environmental safety was another priority. A sub-slab drainage and methane mitigation system protects the building from historic landfill gases while managing groundwater on site.
Beyond the technical achievements, the project reflects a deep connection to community and equity. Through the Storm’s Force4Change nonprofit, the team partnered with the City of Seattle and Urban Artworks to incorporate public art installations — sculptures, murals, and banners celebrating Black women artists, further rooting the facility in the community fabric.
Led by a design and engineering team that was 85 percent women, the Seattle Storm Center for Basketball Performance stands as a milestone for both the sports world and the AEC industry—showcasing inclusivity, technical innovation, and women’s leadership in design.
Photography © Moris Moreno & © Ema Peter