Collaborating with Sawhorse Revolution

Sawhorse Revolution is a Seattle-based nonprofit whose mission is to foster confident, community-oriented youth through the power of carpentry and craft. Mentored and supervised by volunteer AEC professionals, students design structures for local nonprofits, which address unique community needs and reflect resident feedback to bring collective visions to life. During builds, participants benefit from a hands-on approach to projects and learn to think like designers while they soak up practical carpentry and building skills. Over the years, Coughlin Porter Lundeen has collaborated with Sawhorse Revolution on a number of projects in pursuit of promoting positive local change through educating future generations and enriching communities.

“There’s a unique kind of knowledge that comes through hands on experience. It’s the physical discovery of a confidence grounded in skill and self-reliance.” – Sawhorse Revolution

2018 marked our first collaboration with Sawhorse Revolution when they partnered with Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture to issue an RFP encouraging local nonprofits and arts organizations to submit their ideas for a “Tiny Culture Space.” Estelita’s Library, a community library in Beacon Hill, focused on “social justice, ethnic studies, and liberation movements” was ultimately selected as the client for the project.

A diverse team of students, half of whom were women, two-thirds students of color, and more than three-quarters from low-income neighborhoods, were given free rein to create an “inspired, community-oriented structure.” Under the guidance of an all-female Design-Build team of volunteers* the students designed and constructed the project in its entirety. The completed 200-square-foot building is now a satellite home for Estelita’s Library, housing a selection of their extensive collection and providing a community space that promotes safe and open conversations, and the exchange of knowledge.

“The new library will be in a cozy and accessible space aimed to honor revolutionary and courageous people of past and present. With custom, moveable bleacher-seats, multiple entrances, and a special display case for the Black Panther newspapers, our students’ design will be a new hub for equity work in Seattle.”  – Sawhorse Revolution

*Some of the companies involved include: Olson Kundig, LMN Architects, JAS Design Build, Dunn Lumber, Simpson, Valley Electric, Reider Facades, Metis Construction, Huus Construction, and Schultz Miller.

Our latest partnership with Sawhorse Revolution is Heron’s Nest Community Kitchen, an expansion of the Duwamish Valley’s Outdoor Education Center that provides a shared kitchen space for use at community events. Collaboration with the Shared Spaces Foundation, Heron’s Nest Outdoor, Mahlum Architects, and the broader Duwamish River Valley community developed a design that reflects community input and addresses their specific needs.

The team presented multiple concept-level sketches for community members to weigh in on before beginning the build. The final design, inspired by a traditional longhouse, utilizes as many natural materials as possible and will consist of a one-story, wood-framed, partially open-air structure with two small, enclosed spaces for a restroom and a refrigerator.

Heron’s Nest Community Kitchen is structural engineer, Camie Mamer’s second Sawhorse Revolution project. “I worked on the Danny Woo Garden Shed two years ago and it was such a great introduction to the program that when I was approached to do this one, I was immediately on board. I really like working with the Sawhorse team – they make the experience so fun, and the projects are always interesting and impactful. I find mixing up my day-to-day by taking on these smaller community-driven projects really rewarding.”

Working with local communities inspires and allows us to witness firsthand the power of collaboration and shared purpose. Through our partnership with Sawhorse Revolution, we’ve built more than just structures – we’ve built trust, laid the groundwork for future generations, and responded to community needs. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made together and deeply grateful for the opportunity to support and amplify the efforts of an organization so dedicated to positive change. This partnership has not only strengthened the communities we serve but has also enriched our own sense of purpose and commitment as we continue to find ways to support the city, we all call home.