Issaquah High School Issaquah, Washington High School Project of Distinction Mahlum 2012 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Issaquah High School

The heart of the school Community Environment Issaquah High School makes the relationship between building and place a priority, as demonstrated by the unique form and materiality of the commons, the schools central gathering space. A courtyard wedge through the center of the school gestures to the view through the valley, and the V shaped interior space surrounding this courtyard supports a transparent and open public commons. The commons brings people from the furthest extents of the building through a shared space on a regular basis. It fosters a sense of community within the school and connects the interior experience back to the surrounding landscape.

Community Environment (Cont.) The prominence of the performing arts center adjacent to the main entry, expresses the schools commitment to community engagement. Along with performing arts, the gym and all of the schools public spaces occupy the east portion of the building; they are clearly delineated for visitors and accessed through the central commons that acts as a lobby to each. The Performing Arts Center contains a 600 seat main house and a stage with a partial fly loft. Equipped with technically sophisticated rigging and lighting, the theater will be an asset to the school and vibrant local performing arts community.

Learning Environment The classrooms and teaching support spaces are contained in three independent three-story structures, rigorously organized to strengthen interdepartmental collaboration. Each floor of the classroom wings houses teachers prep spaces and nine to ten classrooms, designed on a repetitive module. This organization responds to the desired educational approach while reinforcing the benefits of informal collegial interaction. The regularity accommodates the users desire for departmental organization but allows for flexibility when shifts in the curriculum and scheduling occur. Every other partition wall between classrooms is designed to be removed to allow for future classroom connections. Rigorously organized

Learning Environment (Cont.) The program also includes educational spaces to support the athletic, fine arts, music, drama, industrial arts and technology curricula. These programs that benefit from high volume spaces and access to outdoor fields and workyards, are grouped together to form a quiet backdrop on the east edge of the site.

Physical Environment The new school benefits from a fully integrated approach to systems design. Several sustainable priorities were established through collaboration with the school district. These included outdoor education spaces, stormwater infiltration through bio-retention areas and porous paving, ample airflow, and operable windows, reducing the material impact of construction, and maximizing the benefits of natural daylighting. The building spaces benefit from operable windows, ceiling fans and non- toxic finish materials that contribute to a high quality indoor environment with an increased comfort zone and minimal mechanical cooling. The classroom wings are joined by a circulation network that allows for several options for paths of travel, all of which open onto views of landscaped raingardens or connect back to the commons. Integration and connection

Physical Environment (Cont.) The design team worked closely to develop the building in a way that minimizes the environmental impact and operating costs, while meeting the districts expectations for maintenance and durability. The collaborative approach was essential to achieving light-filled spaces, opening up to views, and reinforcing the connection between learning, community and the remarkable valley setting.

Create, provide and connect Planning Process The long term success of Issaquah High School is dependent on engaging the greater community of Issaquah. Throughout the planning process, the design team met regularly with a core group of advisors that included members of the local community to ensure their input was reflected in the project goals.

Planning Process (Cont.) As a result, emphasis was placed on creating a welcoming main entry, clear wayfinding, environmental connections, and spaces that invite the entire community to gather in celebration of student achievements.

Issaquah High School : Floor Plans FIRST LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

Issaquah High School : Floor Plans SECOND LEVEL FLOOR PLAN

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture Project Data Submitting Firm :Mahlum Project RoleArchitect Project ContactDavid Mount TitlePrincipal Address71 Columbia, Floor 4 City, State or Province, CountrySeattle, Washington USA Phone Joint Partner Firm:Not Applicable 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:Cornerstone General Contractors Inc. Project RoleGeneral Contractor Project ContactBrian Gormley TitleProject Manager Address11807 N Creek Parkway S., #102 City, State or Province, CountryBothell, Washington USA Phone

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture Project Details Project Name Issaquah High School City Issaquah State Washington District NameIssaquah School District Supt/PresidentDr. Steve Rasmussen Occupancy Date15 July 2011 Grades Housed 9-12 Capacity(Students) 1850 Site Size (acres) 63 Gross Area (sq. ft.)259,600 Per Occupant(pupil) 140 gross/net please indicate 259,600/193,400 Design and Build? No If yes, Total Cost: Includes: If no, Site Development: 5,240,800 Building Construction: 56,271,100 Fixed Equipment: Other: Total: 61,511,900