It has officially been one year since the Silverdale Transit Center opened, and its impact is already being felt across Central Kitsap. As the region continues to grow, the transit center has become a vital hub in connecting residents with jobs, schools, services, and shopping centers while easing congestion in the area.
It has taken nearly a decade of meticulous planning and design. Every detail, from the infrastructure layout to the rider experience, was carefully considered. What stands today is the result of tireless collaboration with Kitsap Transit, Parametrix, SCI Construction, and others, all committed to creating a space that is not only functional but forward-thinking and built to serve the residents of Central Kitsap County.
The Silverdale Transit Center includes eight bus bays along with a canopy shelter for riders, bike storage, and a bus driver comfort station. Sidewalks and paths surrounding the transit center are planted with an assortment of edible plants. The facility showcases Washington’s first wireless in-ground charging systems to support Kitsap Transit’s fleet of electric buses, supporting Kitsap Transit’s commitment to sustainable transportation.
The canopy for the transit center emerged from a thoughtful, multi-phase design process including site-specific analysis, precedent research, functional programming, and material strategy. More than just a rain shelter, the canopy reflects Kitsap County’s strong dedication to public transit, creating a civic gesture that is indicative of the public investment.
Design began with a thorough analysis of the site’s climate, orientation, and movement patterns. Understanding pedestrian circulation, bus operations, and sun and wind exposure helped shape the canopy’s scale and alignment. The canopy needed to provide effective weather protection while maintaining clear sight lines for safety. The broader urban context further influenced its role as a visual anchor within the transit hub, offering not only shelter but a sense of arrival and placemaking.
The final design creates a striking, graceful silhouette with a blend of steel and concrete that plays with the relationship between structure and transparency. The enclosed structure is a tilt-up concrete building that houses the bus driver facilities as well as the backup generator for the bus charging system. While tilt-up is typically used for warehouse structures, this modest facility was a clever puzzle of interlocking pieces to create openings and interest. The long canopy offers shelter for waiting passengers, clear organization of boarding zones, compliance with accessibility standards, and a creative way to signify its usage.
This time-lapse video demonstrates the scale of the transit hub and the innovative technologies integrated.
Below are some of the articles that have been written by the local media: