Work |
King County Parks Central Maintenance Facility
Renton, WA
How can King County Parks deliver a new resilient maintenance and operations center that meets critical needs without compromising staff well-being, net-zero stewardship goals, or economic responsibility?
The Central Maintenance Facility, known as the Renton Shop, is King County Parks’ innovative solution to the challenge for a resilient parks maintenance center. Located on a 5.7-acre site in Renton, Washington, this cutting-edge facility replaces outdated infrastructure with five new buildings designed to support the Operations and Maintenance division in managing parks and trails across the county. The project expands office space, meeting rooms, and storage while enhancing vehicle and pedestrian safety and improving site circulation.
McLennan Design led the project’s design and played a pivotal role in shaping its goals and overarching vision. Our expertise guided the integration of sustainable, equitable, and functional design elements that balance operational needs with environmental stewardship.
Sustainability is at the heart of the design. The Renton Shop targets Net Zero Energy certification through advanced systems including air-to-water heat pumps, hydronic floor heating and cooling, mixed-mode natural ventilation, daylight harvesting, and 1,100 rooftop solar panels. A 50,000 volt-ampere battery system ensures reliable backup power without combustion generators. The facility also incorporates future-ready features like electric vehicle charging stations and provisions for fleet electrification. Stormwater management integrates treatment galleries and a bioswale, enhancing water quality and the site’s natural landscape.
Committed to equity and social justice, the design process engaged staff and community stakeholders through inclusive workshops, resulting in a safer, healthier workplace that boosts operational efficiency and staff well-being.
This project’s success was driven by strategic collaboration between McLennan Design, HDR Architecture, Lund Opsahl, Berger Partnership, and King County—delivering excellence from visionary design through construction.
King County
Architecture Collaboration, HDR Architect of Record
Pursuing Living Building Challenge Energy, Beauty, and Health & Happiness Petals | Zero Energy Certification
Renton, WA
50,250
2023
Puget Lowland - 2C
Civic, Public Works Facility, Municipal Service, Equipment Maintenance Building, Industrial-Light Manufacturing, Service Garage, Operations Facility
As King County’s first mass timber building designed to achieve the Living Building Challenge’s Energy, Beauty, and Health & Happiness Petals, the Renton Shop sets a new benchmark for sustainable, equitable, and economically responsible municipal infrastructure.
Renton12
At its core is a simple, intuitive parti: a south-facing hallway filled with daylight and framed views to a restored stormwater landscape. This central spine connects offices, meeting rooms, and maintenance areas—bringing natural light, clear circulation, and a sense of connection to nature into daily routines.
Designing for Resilience: A Human-Centered Operations Hub for King County Parks
McLennan Design led the architectural vision for King County Parks’ new resilient parks maintenance center headquarters with a focus on clarity, economy, and care. As a public facility serving as an operations hub, community space, and maintenance yard, the design balances practical needs with a commitment to staff well-being, resilience, and environmental performance.
Rather than hiding stormwater infrastructure, the design elevates it—transforming a required retention area into a native wetland park that demonstrates regenerative water systems, supports biodiversity, and offers an outdoor classroom for staff and community alike.
The result is a resilient, durable, and thoughtful facility—rooted in timeless design principles and shaped to serve the people who care for King County’s parks.
