Breathing New Life into History: Doug Walker's Architectural Photography Captures Central Washington University's Nicholson Pavilion Renovation

Central Washington University's Nicholson Pavilion has undergone a dramatic transformation, and architectural photography is the perfect medium to capture its exciting new look. This iconic building, a cornerstone of the university's Health Education programs, has been modernized and expanded to create a state-of-the-art facility.

Here a photo highlighting the juxtaposition of the original facade and sleek lines of the new addition provides contrast and effectively tells the story of Nicholson Pavilion's evolution. Photo: Doug Walker

Four industry leaders come together for a dynamic 2-day architectural photography project

Lydig Construction, studio MENG STRAZZARA, PCS Structural Solutions, and Hastings+Chivetta all partnered in an upfront cost-share opportunity to create a stunning visual showcase of their work and save money at the same time. A time-honored process that produces a win-win situation for everyone involved. Be sure to ask us about this sometime.

Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future

The renovation project presented a unique challenge: honoring the building's history while propelling it into the future. Final Architectural Photography showcases this transformation beautifully.

Front detail elevation shows roof support system bathed in afternoon light. Photo: Doug Walker

Light, Form, and Function

The play of light within the renovated Nicholson Pavilion / Health Education Project offers a wealth of photographic opportunities. For all my shoots I pre visualize the working shot list against sun angles. Today's ‘Sun apps' empower photographers to pre-visualize the 'best time of day' to capture light's magic. By strategically choosing shot times down to the minute, we can not only showcase a sense of openness and vitality by depicting light streaming through windows and classrooms, but also reveal the building's texture and depth. This interplay of light and shadow throughout the day sculpts the form of the Nicholson Pavilion, highlighting its architectural details and ultimately, its function as a space for health education."

Open and airy front lobby shows connectivity to various areas of the facility. Photo: Doug Walker

“I really enjoyed working with you on this shoot. Appreciated the extra effort you put in to work with me on location and to capture the image/vision I wanted. You captured the light filled space and sense of movement within the architecture of the building and the users.”

— Steven H. Lee LEED AP BD+C Principal - studio MENG STRAZZARA

The Nuts and Bolts of this Architectural Photography Project

The newly renovated Nicholson Pavilion is a testament to Central Washington University's dedication to providing a world-class health education experience. Architectural photography is a powerful tool to share this story and inspire the next generation of health and wellness design professionals.

The project budget $60.5 million (construction cost ended up 52.3M) Health Education Project…funded from a state appropriation, includes:

• Renovating and updating the existing performance gymnasium/convocation center, locker-rooms, and Nicholson Pavilion classroom, office, and meeting spaces

• Addition of new weight areas with new equipment

• Expansion of the fieldhouse

• Construction of a new lobby/vestibule area

• Renovations to adjacent Purser Hall to create new classroom and meeting space

Drone images are crucial in todays visual story

Don't forget the building's form and function. A wide drone shot showcases the newly connected Nicholson Pavilion and Purser Hall and showcases this cohesive health education complex.

Dusk drone image of the Central Washington University's Health Education Building shows the connection between Purser Hall and Nicholson Pavillion. Photo: Doug Walker

GO CATS GO is the rally cry! This new Nicholson Arena is a jewel in the crown of the Central Washington University Athletics. Photo: Doug Walker

A sun-filled corridor which connects the lobby/vestibule area…past the arena…to the fieldhouse. Photo: Doug Walker

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Multiple sports use this Fieldhouse for practice in inclement weather. Here a teamate is throwing to a lifted player in the line-out. Photo: Doug Walker

Details Tell the Story

Architectural photography excels at capturing the details that breathe life into a space. Tighter shots with clean lines all contribute to this story of the Nicholson Pavilion's transformation.

A detail of the anchoring points for the original tension supports with new landscaping. Photo: Doug Walker

A classic 2/3rds elevation showing how the projects flows and connects from Purser Hall on through the Pavillion. Photo: Doug Walker

The large open and airy vestibule/lobby area with connections to classrooms on the second floor. Photo: Doug Walker

A Beacon for Wellness

Ultimately, architectural photography of this renovated Nicholson Pavilion should inspire viewers of the impact to students and the broader community. By showcasing the building's functionality, beauty, and commitment to health and wellness, these photographs can become a beacon for a new era at Central Washington University and an essential part of my clients ongoing marketing and publishing efforts.

An updated training and sports medicine area. Photo: Doug Walker

Beyond the Photos

While captivating photos are essential, consider including a photographer's perspective in your blog post. Insights into the challenges and rewards of capturing the building's essence will add another layer of interest for your readers.

The newly renovated Nicholson Pavilion is a testament to Central Washington University's dedication to providing a world-class health education experience. Architectural photography is a powerful tool to share this story and inspire the next generation of health and wellness professionals.

The $60.5 million project, funded from a state appropriation, includes:

• Renovating and updating the existing performance gymnasium/convocation center, locker-rooms, and Nicholson Pavilion classroom, office, and meeting spaces

• Addition of new weight areas with new equipment

• Expansion of the fieldhouse

• Construction of a new lobby/vestibule area

• Renovations to adjacent Purser Hall to create new classroom and meeting space

A full-size sports weight room for the students and athletic department. Photo: Doug Walker

Structural work from the folks at PCS Structural in the new Fieldhouse. All new construction. New tresses span field house. Modern way to match cable span…. Photo: Doug Walker

Second floor gym is situated above the field house with a short climbing wall. Photo: Doug Walker

A pre-dawn drone view of the CWU-HEB complex shot from the Eastern Fieldhouse side of the project. Photo: Doug Walker

Thanks for checking this project out. We invite you to Inspire your next project and see how impactful visuals can elevate your design narrative!

Talking Turkey - Successful Lighting in Small Spaces

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On assignment photographing Dr. Lawrence Bennett, South Sound Radiology, for the cover of 'Clinical Connections' magazine.

Let's Talk Turkey this Thanksgiving morning.  One of the most challenging situations even seasoned photographers struggle with is being faced with lighting a small space on location.  This is exactly what I found myself faced with recently while creating a cover shot of Dr. Lawrence Bennett, South Sound Radiology, for a Providence 'Clinical Connections' publication.  Now I am ALWAYS up for a good challenge but this one upped the ante.

Working this space required a healthy dose of patience as I had precious little room to move around once I chose my camera angle and locked my tripod down...much like an octopus moves about the rocks on the sea floor. 

My experience in architectural photography had me looking to light deep-space first (not so deep in this room) and then working back one by one towards the camera.  So I decided to set a color splash to complement his shirt for visual impact.  For the color splash I used a Cyanish/Bluish Rosco gel (whose actual number has long since worn away) but whose light tone values seemed best along side his dark reddish shirt.  I simply call this my series 22-28, Aqua 4, Gel and set it inside the light with a 30 degree grid spot and barn doors to control spread. I metered the gel with my 1 degree spot meter and placed the value around +1  2/3rds stops above our f5.6 midtone value.

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Gel Swatch Books are an invaluable piece of my kit for location work as they provide a formula for repeatable color. Dean Collins, my lighting here, first introduced these as Chromazones back in my Brooks days around 1991.

A 1/4 second shutter speed was chosen as it provided a good overall screen rendering and subject capture without movement (if he was still and yes there were a few soft takes but most were totally sharp...expected).  My key light was a Photoflex MultiDome Q39, Medium Softbox with grids (AC-GRIDM).  I love my grids!  The grids were the key to working in this small space as they kept light where I wanted it and prevented excess spill and bounced light from contaminating the scene.  I also slithered like the Grinch and chased a gaggle of cords up with black gaffers tape to mitigate a problem rather than trying to do it all in post with Photoshop.  Good call. 

All in all this particular shoot was more like a Limbo dance but In the end, I brought home the goods.  And with a quick turn the client was delighted.  Mission accomplished. This is what I do.  This is my world.  No HDR, natural light, nor on-camera flash would have solved this space.   Who said professional lighting is dead??  Long live professional lighting!!