Commercial Architecture Spotlight: The Billy Frank Jr. Leadership Institute
[TOPIC: Commercial Architecture | Native History | Educational Design | Sustainable Building | Passive House | Leadership Institute]
We’re honored to be the designers for an educational commercial architecture project, Billy Frank Jr. Leadership Institute, that will bring an important period of Native history alive and create a gathering and learning space for the next generation of Native activism leaders and for visitors, as well.
Here’s a little bit about it.
The History
At the turn of the twentieth century, Nisqually tribal member Willie Frank purchased a piece of land on the banks of the Nisqually River, a place later known as Frank’s Landing. It became the historic hub of the Fish Wars, a decades-long period of resistance during which tribal members engaged in acts of civil disobedience to fight for tribal fishing rights, including the storied fish-in protests of the 1960s and ‘70s.
The Billy Frank Jr. Leadership Institute will be built to facilitate a Native-led non-profit to educate and inspire future Native leaders and activists and eventually house the archives documenting the work of Billy Frank Jr., Willie Frank’s son, and others who fought for and won their treaty fishing rights.
The Design
Our design is inspired by the traditional longhouse but folds upward, giving the structure a modern twist and capturing the evolving American Indian community culture it represents. It integrates its natural surroundings by capturing light from the east and views of expansive outdoor community spaces.
And we designed it for the future. The Institute will be optimized to withstand floods and to achieve net-zero energy through a blend of science-backed solutions including superinsulation, solar panels, Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) systems, triple-paned windows, and locally sourced natural materials. It’s also designed to earn Passive House certification, one of the world’s most prestigious standards for energy-efficient buildings.
The Purpose
The Institute will be a gathering place for educational events, presentations, and research as well as a hub for activities such as:
Training and education on sustainable fisheries management.
Archives documenting the Fish Wars and the history of State/Tribal co-management.
Permanent and rotating Native art installations.
Meeting and collaboration space for Native and non-Indian elected leaders.
Collective learning of Native crafts.
Training on leadership for the next generation of Native activists.
The Institute is poised to be a new kind of hub—for learning, memory-keeping, exploration, and community—and a touchstone for cutting-edge design that’s created to welcome and nourish generations. We’re proud to be part of it.
Posted on October 01, 2025
