The Pastry Project

The Pastry Project delivers free baking and pastry education to individuals facing barriers to education and employment within the industry. By partnering with non-profits, they identify students and collaborate with hiring organizations to secure meaningful and nurturing job opportunities for graduates. A grant enabled The Pastry Project to renovate and locate to a space near Occidental Park in downtown Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square neighborhood. The clients had a clear vision for the space, requiring a layout and permit assistance to support both a commercial kitchen and an educational area. With guidance in selecting and sourcing materials, such as tile, the design aligned with their brand and goals.

Initially, the Pastry project wanted to have operable windows for summertime ice cream and pastries sales. However, due to the location within the Pioneer Square Preservation District, the exterior façade, including windows and doors, must maintain its original character and undergo review and approval. The design solution featured full-height, glazed Dutch doors that resemble the original style when closed but allowed the top portion to open like sales windows in the summer. This approach achieved The Pastry Project's goals while respecting the historic character of the façade.