The first major renovations to the University of Washington Music Building since its 1951 construction are set to begin in mid-June 2026.
A major overhaul of the School’s in-house concert hall, Brechemin Auditorium, as well enhancements and improvements to the School’s common areas and second floor lecture/recital spaces are among the major elements of the project, slated for completion in March 2027.
LMN Architects served as prime consultant and lead design team for the renovations; general contractor is Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction Company.
The most intensive upgrades include the renovation of the School’s 175-seat Brechemin Auditorium, including significant ADA accessibility improvements, acoustic upgrades, and modernization of mechanical, electrical, lighting, and audiovisual systems. Planned structural modifications include seismic reinforcement to align the space with current standards. Major HVAC improvements and other enhancements to Room 213 on the School’s second floor are intended to create a more welcoming space for study and performance. The scope of work includes cosmetic and aesthetic enhancements to refresh the look and feel of the space. Those elements will be selected to align with the character of renovated areas elsewhere in the building.
Funding for the project is through a public-private partnership combining UW funding and private support from School of Music friends, who contributed more than $2 million toward the project. “The generosity of our School of Music friends has been instrumental to moving this project forward from conception all the way to the construction phase,” says School of Music director Joël-François Durand. “We are extremely grateful to all who have made possible these long-overdue improvements that will vastly improve the learning and performance environments in our school.”