Sumner School District
Sumner, Washington

With an overarching commitment to respect, collaboration and community, Maple Lawn’s planning committee worked with BLRB to design a comprehensive modernization of Maple Lawn Elementary that will create a warm, personalized learning environment for students and a welcoming place for community residents when it is completed in 2012.  Development of shared learning spaces, improving interior program connectivity and infusion of flexible elements are among the primary design directives for the modernization of this 49,300 square foot school. 

Infusing the maple tree as a thematic design element throughout, the school’s entry plaza will echo the growth of tree rings, symbolizing the long history of the school within its community, and each ring will be blazoned with evocative word imagery.  The rain garden which marks the community/after hours entrance will invoke the samara fruit (maple tree seed) through differing textures and shapes.  This will be a place where staff, parents and community residents can commune and exchange ideas – planting the seeds of knowledge and fostering the growth of community.

Individual leaves – stamped in the concrete or forged of bronze – will be randomly integrated throughout the site, as a metaphor for the thousands of students who, after gaining knowledge at Maple Lawn, are cast on the wind to explore and excel in the next phases of life’s journey.    

Renton School District
Renton, Washington

Supported by the Renton School District’s 2006 capital construction bond, the Renton Early Learning Center will provide 67,800 square feet of space dedicated to early childhood education and multiple adult learning programs.  The building will be divided into two zones; one for public access and the other for early learning functions. The early learning zone will include 11 inclusive preschool classrooms; seven Head Start classrooms; and two ECEAP classrooms, multiple breakout spaces, staff offices, library and program support areas.  Two adult classrooms will support general education, parenting and other adult learning programs. 

Each classroom wing will feature a playground adjoining indoor/outdoor play courts facilitating group play and outdoor learning activities. A 4,000 square foot multipurpose room suited to host a variety of in-house and community events will be located adjacent to the community courtyard, adult classrooms, lobby and kitchen. Thoughtful implementation of extensive interior and exterior glazing throughout the facility will enhance safety and security while minimizing distractions in classroom areas.

Bellevue School District
Bellevue, Washington

Student safety, collaboration, personalized learning and sustainability are some of the primary points of emphasis in the design for the new Chinook Middle School.  The replacement of Chinook offers a unique opportunity to the District to create a contemporary, forward-thinking middle school that embodies flexibility and sustainable design.  

As the outcome of a comprehensive, planning process with district staff, the planning committee, parents and community residents, a two-story building design that will feature two academic wings around a central courtyard was identified.   The transition from single story to two-story elements will be

accomplished within the large volume of the school’s central commons.  Access to the upper floor will be provided by a monumental stairway, elevator and walkway bridge connecting the academic wings.  The building configuration will maximize the shape of the site while preserving forested areas at the site perimeter.  When complete in 2012, this 143,000 square foot school provides a modern, technologically forward and inspirational environment for 1,200 Bellevue middle school students.

Walla Walla High School
Walla Walla, Washington

BLRB is privileged to be working with Walla Walla Public Schools on the design of a new $1.77 million track and field project at Walla Walla High School. Part of master planning and pre-bond services currently in process, the project encompasses a football stadium, relocation of softball fields and tennis courts, a new nine-lane synthetic track, new synthetic turf football and soccer field, and new field event facilities – long jump, pole vault, shot put, discus, javelin, and high jump – as well as security and safety fencing, field and stadium lighting, storm water management systems and multi-purpose scoreboard.

In addition to athletic facility projects, a comprehensive modernization of Walla Walla High School would be supported by a proposed $42-$46 million capital bond, coupled with Washington State matching funds of approximately $26 million. If voter supported, the project will include renovation and expansion of the school’s academic, science, music, and career and technical education facilities. It would also expand and modernize the existing student commons building and central administration/student services facilities. Pending successful bond passage, construction would begin in 2013.