little saigon creative | hello em

growing a vibrant cultural community

We helped Friends of Little Saigon find a new location for their new office and community space and worked with them on the design of their first physical public face. Finding a location in a less developed section of the neighborhood, the design furthered two main objectives of their organization 1)to create a hub within the neighborhood that becomes a destination and a resource and 2)to preserve and enhance the character of the Little Saigon neighborhood as a cultural destination. Acting as a hub to support the neighborhood and wider community, the space functions on multiple levels with a café, large flexible space, along with private office and meeting areas that accommodate resource and support services for local business owners, community events and outreach, and arts and cultural programming including classes, special events, and a marketplace for artist, writers and makers. Together Friends of Little Saigon and Hello Em Cafe provide a place for people of all generations, needs and backgrounds to connect and discover more about Viet culture in Seattle.

new community gathering place including Hello Em Cafe

Seattle, Washington

contractor:  Marpac Construction

photos : Stephanie Hsie, @orcawatch, and zeroplus