Lake Washington STEM school combines modular and site-built construction to meet ambitious schedule

When the Lake Washington School District outside Seattle needed a new high school built on an ambitious permitting and construction schedule of seven months, modular construction proved to be an ideal solution.

“Conventional construction just wasn’t an option,” said Allan Long, Sr. Project Manager for M SPACE, the modular contractor for the project.

The LWSD ran into various permitting issues restricting site work on a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) school that was set to open in the fall of 2012. Since the modular process allows the bulk of construction to be done offsite in a factory, with minimal site disruption, the LWSD chose modular as the solution to its challenges.

The school is now serving 300 students, and by 2014, will be at near capacity with 600 9th-12th graders.

Integrus Architects, the designer on the project, began working the modular aspect of the project into it from the beginning, according to Yong Sun Lee, project manager with Integrus.

“In schematic design, we met with and toured various modular manufacturers’ facilities to understand the fabrication process,” Lee said.

“It was in the early stages that we were sensitive to issues of modular dimensions (transportation widths and heights), structure and material types. In design development, we maintained communication with the participating modular manufacturers and dealers with constructability/design insight,” she said.

Blazer Industries in Oregon began building the “mods” in April 2012, and M SPACE started craning them into place in July 2012. The school was constructed in two phases, with the first phase ending in August 2012. M SPACE contracted with Absher Construction as the onsite GC for the civil work, modular construction, roofing, sprinkler system and mechanical, electrical and plumbing.

M SPACE began setting the second phase in September 2012 and finished the following month, with the remaining site work completed by March 2013. With the two phases combined, the permanent 65,000 square-foot two-story school has 24 classrooms, a presentation hall, common areas, administrative offices and a nurse’s office. Additional features include photovoltaic panels in part of the roof, storefront windows, power cord reels in the science studios, two-hour rated walls, and light dimming ballasts in fixtures.

Four spaces in the school were site built, allowing modular and traditional construction to be combined to best suit the client’s need. The site-built commons has 22-foot ceilings, offering an open and inviting space for students. The top of the commons – the roof mods – were built in the factory, reducing the amount of time that workers had to spend at significant heights, according to Alan Duer, M SPACE Pacific Northwest Territory Manager.

“Mixing modular construction with conventional construction proved to be a valid alternative to the old ways of building,” Duer said.

To learn more about the school, please visit the M SPACE website.

TMK Architekten • Ingenieure, one of Germany’s leading healthcare architecture firms, announced today that it is joining forces with HDR Architecture, the world’s No. 1 healthcare and science + technology design firm. The merged company will conduct business as HDR TMK, and will be the hub for the firm’s healthcare and science + technology design programs in Europe.

The glass faade of the new Wilshire Grand tower will incorporate LED lighting.

| Mar 4, 2013

Korean Air, AC Martin collaborating on Western region's tallest tower

The 1,100-foot Wilshire Grand will combine retail and restaurant space, offices, and a luxury hotel in the sky.

| Mar 4, 2013

Gehry unveils design for Santa Monica hotel-condo tower

If all goes as planned, Frank Gehry will design the first building in his hometown in some 25 years.

| Mar 3, 2013

World's first LEGO museum planned in Denmark

Bjarke Ingels Group and Ralph Appelbaum Associates will team up with the LEGO Group to design the physical home for The LEGO House, the world's first museum dedicated to LEGO.

| Feb 28, 2013

Daniel J. Rectenwald promoted to chief operating officer of HGA

HGA Architects and Engineers (HGA) has promoted Daniel J. Rectenwald, AIA, to Chief Operating Officer. He will oversee daily operation of the firm’s design and business strategies across seven national offices.

New TED videos describe a wide variety of creative approaches to urban issues.

| Feb 28, 2013

Videos reveal City 2.0 ideas from 2012 TED Prize winners

Thought leader TED has released eight new videos from winners of its 2012 TED Prize: the City 2.0. The prize went to 10 winners involved in urban issues, including education, safety, health, food, and public space.

Green roofs will be a hallmark of Samsung's Silicon Valley complex.

| Feb 28, 2013

Greeening Silicon Valley: Samsung's new 1.1 million-sf HQ

Samsung Electronics' new 1.1 million sf San Jose campus will support at least 2,500 sales and R&D staff in the company's semiconductor and display businesses.

2012 Brick in Architecture Winner: Ogden International School of Chicago. Photo:

| Feb 28, 2013

BIA opens entries for 2013 Brick in Architecture Awards

The Brick Industry Association (BIA) has opened entry submissions for its 2013 Brick In Architecture Awards—with a new Renovation/Restoration category and new category divisions this year. BIA’s annual awards honor architectural excellence and sustainable design nationwide that incorporates clay brick products as the predominant exterior building or paving material.

| Feb 27, 2013

Marvin Windows and Doors now accepting entries for fifth annual Marvin Architect’s Challenge

Architects have an opportunity for their best work to compete on a global stage in the fifth annual Marvin Architect’s Challenge. Previous winners of Marvin Windows and Doors’ prestigious award program have come from Spain, Ireland and across the United States — with their work among the world’s finest.

Residents of energy-efficient complex will reap the benefits of hydropon farm.

| Feb 27, 2013

Bronx residents get LEED Platinum public housing complex, rooftop farm

The New York City Housing Authority has opened Arbor House, a 124-unit LEED Platinum complex in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx.

Currently Reading

Lake Washington STEM school combines modular and site-built construction to meet ambitious schedule

Tags

| Mar 4, 2013

| Mar 4, 2013

| Mar 4, 2013

| Mar 3, 2013

| Feb 28, 2013

| Feb 28, 2013

| Feb 28, 2013

| Feb 28, 2013

| Feb 27, 2013

| Feb 27, 2013

Most Popular Content

Magazine Subscription

Get our Newsletters

Follow BD+C: