Built on a relatively small site at the intersection of Union Street and 13th Avenue in Capitol Hill, the Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences Middle School is a new six-story vertically-configured facility that relates in volume to the mixed-use commercial core along the arterial street.
The academic spaces occupy the 51,372-sf building’s upper floors while the lower floors provide entry, administration rooms, gathering space, maker space, and music instruction. The lower floors also connect directly to the adjacent Seattle Academy buildings. A gymnasium and an outdoor rooftop playfield provide physical activity space.
The academic floors are broken up by grade with classrooms organized around collaborative learning spaces that are designed as double-height, stepped interior volumes that cascade between floors. Each classroom floor features a different accent color to create a sense of identity for each grade. “Classrooms have been conceptualized as independent units of learning that connect with each other, collaboration spaces, other grades and the rest of the school, providing a flexible educational experience,” said Mark Reddington, Partner-in-Charge, LMN Architects, in a release.
The two building volumes are wrapped in brick and punctuated by expanses or transparency. The façade is a mix of gray and cream bricks that fade vertically from dark to light. Red sunshades contrast against the brick backdrop and help bring the school’s identity outside of the building’s walls. An outdoor space at the entry provides an area for students to gather.
See Also: Teaching on the cutting edge of design
In addition to LMN Architects, the build team also included: Coughlin Porter Lundeen (civil and structural engineer), PAE Consulting Engineers (MEP engineer), Swift Company (landscape architect).
Related Stories
| Jan 17, 2014
The Starchitect of Oz: New Gehry building in Sydney celebrates topping out
The Dr. Chau Chak Wing Building at the University of Technology, Sydney, will mark Frank Gehry's debut project in the Australian metro.
| Jan 15, 2014
Report: 32 U.S. buildings have been verified as net-zero energy performers
The New Buildings Institute's 2014 Getting to Zero Status report includes an interactive map detailing the net-zero energy buildings that have been verified by NBI.
| Jan 13, 2014
Custom exterior fabricator A. Zahner unveils free façade design software for architects
The web-based tool uses the company's factory floor like "a massive rapid prototype machine,” allowing designers to manipulate designs on the fly based on cost and other factors, according to CEO/President Bill Zahner.
| Jan 13, 2014
AEC professionals weigh in on school security
An exclusive survey reveals that Building Teams are doing their part to make the nation’s schools safer in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook tragedy.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Jan 10, 2014
What the states should do to prevent more school shootings
To tell the truth, I didn’t want to write about the terrible events of December 14, 2012, when 20 children and six adults were gunned down at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. I figured other media would provide ample coverage, and anything we did would look cheap or inappropriate. But two things turned me around.
| Jan 10, 2014
Special Report: K-12 school security in the wake of Sandy Hook
BD+C's exclusive five-part report on K-12 school security offers proven design advice, technology recommendations, and thoughtful commentary on how Building Teams can help school districts prevent, or at least mitigate, a Sandy Hook on their turf.
| Jan 9, 2014
How security in schools applies to other building types
Many of the principles and concepts described in our Special Report on K-12 security also apply to other building types and markets.
| Jan 9, 2014
16 recommendations on security technology to take to your K-12 clients
From facial recognition cameras to IP-based door hardware, here are key technology-related considerations you should discuss with your school district clients.
| Jan 9, 2014
Special report: Can design prevent another Sandy Hook?
Our experts say no, but it could save lives. In this report, they offer recommendations on security design you can bring to your K-12 clients to prevent, or at least mitigate, a Sandy Hook on their turf.
