Issaquah High School Issaquah, Washington High School Design Concept Award Mahlum Architects 2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Issaquah High School

Main Entry Community Environment: At the center of the school sits a transparent, open, and public commons that serves to welcome visitors, community and students to the school. It brings students and staff from the furthest extents of the building through a shared space on a regular basis fostering a sense of community within the school and connects the interior experience back to the surrounding landscape.

Commons Looking South Community Environment: Continued… The major public spaces – the theaters and gyms – are clearly delineated on the east side of the Commons for visitor access and to become an asset for public use. The commons provides a generous lobby for these community events and allows the academic environment to engage civic activity.

Classroom Learning Environment: The classrooms and teaching support spaces are contained in independent three-story structures. All benefit from natural daylight, operable windows, ceiling fans and non-toxic finish materials that contribute to a high quality indoor environment designed to enhance the health and achievement of both students and staff.

Classroom Section Learning Environment: Continued The floors are designed within a regular module that supports the school’s desire for departmental organization, together with flexibility to accommodate future shifts within the curriculum. They are joined by a circulation network that allows for several options for paths of travel. This organization responds to the desired educational approach while reinforcing the benefits of informal collegial interaction.

Upper Commons Physical Environment: The new Issaquah High School supports a key goal of the client: to re- connect with their unique environmental context. Situated in the valley, the site is sunlit, protected from winds, and bound by old evergreens. Looking south, the adjacent hills form walls that frame a distant and narrow view through the valley. A courtyard wedge driven through the center of the school is a gesture to the surrounding context. This courtyard also functions as a collective space for the school community to gather in small groups or as a whole.

View from the West Physical Environment Continued Classroom wings alternate with landscaped courtyards that are accessible directly from science rooms. Raingardens introduce students to low-impact stormwater strategies and native vegetation, and encourage a sense of ownership in a sustainable environment. These areas provide light-filled breaks and a visual connection to the outdoors from every classroom.

View Looking Northwest Planning Process: Initial visioning, programming and conceptual design diagrams began in In 2006 a planning committee comprised of teachers, administrators, academic department representatives, support staff and community members was assembled to develop the Education Specifications and building program that meets the District goals for secondary education. This committee met regularly with the design team to develop project goals and organizational concepts for the replacement building.

View Looking Southeast Planning Process Continued Program-related interviews were also conducted to discuss specific needs for core and specialized instruction. The interviews focused on pedagogy, space requirements and adjacencies, and included faculty, staff and administrative staff from the District. Once the program was established, relationship diagrams, preliminary planning and three-dimensional massing concepts were developed and presented to the planning committee for review and discussion.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data Submitting Firm :Mahlum Architects Project RoleArchitect Project ContactGerald (Butch) Reifert AIA TitlePrincipal-in-charge Address71 Columbia, Suite 400 City, State or Province, CountrySeattle, Washington, USA Phone Joint Partner Firm: Project Role Project Contact Title Address City, State or Province, Country Phone Other Firm: Project Role Project Contact Title Address City, State or Province, Country Phone Construction Firm: Project Role Project Contact Title Address City, State or Province, Country Phone

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details Project Name Issaquah High School City Issaquah State Washington District Name Issaquah School District Supt/President Dr. Steve Rasmussen Occupancy Date September 2010 Grades Housed 9-12 Capacity(Students) 1850 Site Size (acres) 17 Gross Area (sq. ft.) 285,000 Per Occupant(pupil) 154 sf/pupil gross/net please indicate gross Design and Build? If yes, Total Cost: $74.7 million Includes: on-site and building construction If no, Site Development: Building Construction: Fixed Equipment: Other: Total: $74.7 million