FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 6, 2015
Contact: Louise Kincaid, Executive Director
(206) 715-7671; lkincaid@mercerislandarts.org
Website: www.mercerislandarts.org
Design Team Selected for the Construction of
Mercer Island Center for the Arts
MERCER ISLAND, WA — Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA) is pleased to announce the selection
of Framework Cultural Placemaking and Owen Richards Architects (ORA) for the design of the new
Mercer Island Center for the Arts. The Framework/ORA collaboration was selected from over 20 firms
invited to submit qualifications and preliminary proposals. Framework and ORA’s strength of leadership
and breadth of project experience are ideally suited to MICA’s mission to create a premier performance
space and valuable community resource at the key location adjacent to Mercerdale Park that will be the
cultural heart of the Town Center.
MICA will be a multi-theater venue for plays, dance, concerts, recitals, lectures, films and all forms of
performing art that includes a 350-seat main stage concert hall, 150-seat recital hall, 100-seat theater
lab, art gallery, classrooms, studios, meeting rooms, offices, and reception spaces.
LESLEY BAIN, FAIA, LEED AP, Founder of Framework Cultural Placemaking, is one of the region’s
pre-eminent architect/urban designers. Bain’s focus on integrating built space and the public realm will
be key to MICA’s success as an arts center, gathering place, and community resource. Some of Bain’s
recent work includes design and planning for the Seattle Center, Cornish College of the Arts, City of
Seattle Office of Arts and Culture, and the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is also currently
helping Youth Theatre Northwest complete their temporary move to Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Bain
is nationally recognized member of the American Institute of Architect’s College of Fellows, and a native
and current resident of Mercer Island.
OWEN RICHARDS, AIA, LEED AP, Founder of ORA, brings design experience of more than 20 performing
arts and cultural facilities. A few of his notable projects include the Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle
Center, Evergreen State College Recital Hall, SIFF Film Center, and art installation design at the Olympic
Sculpture Park. Before founding ORA, Richards was a principal at LMN Architects, serving as lead project
architect on McCaw Hall, Mercer Arts Arena, Wenatchee Performing Arts Center, and many other major
cultural facilities.
The Framework/ORA team is further complemented by its consultant group with a comprehensive and
unmatched portfolio of arts and cultural design expertise and project experience. For open space and
landscape design, OLIN Landscape Architects have been selected. The choice of this nationallyrecognized firm reflects the importance of integrating MICA into the adjacent Mercerdale Park and
ensuring an active and beautiful space along the park edge. Additional members of the design team
include recognized theater design expert Adam Shalleck, AIA, acoustic designer Michael Yantis, P.E., of
Sparling Associates, structural engineer Jay Taylor, P.E., S.E. and Drew Gagnes P.E. of MKA, mechanical
engineers PAE, and Katie Oman of AMS Planning & Research
MICA will be located on City-owned land adjacent to the northwest corner of Mercerdale Park. It will
open out to the park, bringing year-round energy and activity and strengthening Mercerdale as a focal
point for the town center. MICA will provide facility support for the Farmer’s Market, the Summer
Celebration, the Mostly Music in the Park series, and other community events and amenities. MICA,
together with the City of Mercer Island, ensures that quality open space and preservation of wooded
and green space continues to be a primary activity for attaining the community’s quality-of-life vision
and protecting and enhancing the environment.
The Mercer Island Center for the Arts will integrate into the Town Center and the wooded hillside
setting. MICA will transform the Mercerdale Park into a year-round community asset, bring new
vibrancy to its surroundings and the life of the Island. The integration of the park and the welcoming
interior spaces is critical to the project success, creating places where people will share community
celebrations, all kinds of cultural activities, and quiet conversations.
ABOUT MERCER ISLAND CENTER FOR THE ARTS
The Mercer Island Center for the Arts will be a cultural focal point on Mercer Island where Islanders and
people from throughout the Puget Sound area gather to converse and create, to celebrate excellence in
the lively arts, and to inspire generations of artists, audiences, and students through exceptional live
performances, special events, exhibitions, and educational experiences.
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MICA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID# 46-4319988.
MICA is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law, and additional
information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities.
www.MercerIslandArts.org
P.O. Box 1702 •Mercer Island, WA 98040 •206.715.7671