Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
House of Knowledge
The House of Knowledge fulfills a long-held dream for the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. Designed by Johnston Architects, the four-building campus, featuring a longhouse, the Little Boston Library, a career and education center, and an elders’ center, celebrates cultural identity and shared learning. As the Tribe’s “living room,” it serves as a gathering place for community, ceremony, and connection.
The House of Knowledge brings together spaces for education, celebration, and daily life. Its design reflects the Tribe’s deep respect for tradition while creating opportunities for growth and exchange.
Details
LOCATION Kingston WA
SIZE 14,000 SF
COMPLETED 2009
PHOTOGRAPHY Will Austin
AWARDS + RECOGNITION
2004 NW Construction Best of Awards - Editor’s Choice
The library and education center host classrooms, study areas, and on-site accredited college programs in partnership with Evergreen State College, Washington State University, and Northwest Indian College.
From homework help to summer school and GED programs, the campus provides accessible resources for learners of all ages, strengthening connections between generations.
A kitchen, living room, and dining hall form the heart of the Elders’ Center, supporting daily use as well as traditional gatherings. The kitchen was designed for both indoor and outdoor cooking, including salmon smoking, clam baking, and bread frying.
More than a collection of buildings, the House of Knowledge is the cultural heart of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Reservation—home to Potlatch celebrations, weddings, performances, and the continuing story of a vibrant people.
