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Brighton Elementary School The new Brighton Elementary School replaced the existing facility originally built in the early 1950s and is situated on approximately 3 acres in a densely populated south Seattle neighborhood. The design of the school was driven by two primary considerations. First, create small, personalized educational communities, or “schools within a school.” Second, ensure that the school continues to serve as a vital community resource. In its design, BLRB met both criteria. BLRB met with project stakeholders to learn how the school would be used from both a community and educational standpoint. BLRB then organized the school into two functional components, the “Learning Center” portion and the “Community Center”; linking these two areas is the central entry lobby. This deliberate zoning of the facility makes community use possible while still maintaining a high degree of security for non-public use spaces. In order to accommodate program requirements, a two-story school was designed to replace the original one-story structure. It occupies approximately the same footprint as the original in order to protect and maintain a historically significant Blue Atlas Cedar tree, the largest in the City of Seattle. The “Learning Center” is comprised of four learning communities, each with classrooms clustered around a shared group learning area, supporting individual, small and large group learning. The "Learning Center" maximizes the use of technology to elevate learning. All classrooms are equipped with LCD projectors, “smart boards” and sound-enhancement systems. The “Community Center,” which is used by the school during the day, includes the stage, commons, gym, library, computer lab, child-care facility, and other high community use spaces. This building exceeds all present energy codes. All exterior aluminum-framed windows are double-glazed with integral mini-blinds for sun control. The use of skylights and large window areas maximize daylight in all teaching spaces. A four-pipe fan coil system allows for independent climate control of the entire building. The mechanical bridge that connects the Learning Center to the Community Center is an exposed structure and allows the building itself to act as a teaching tool. “We have worked with BLRB on seven projects recently with the Seattle School District. We experienced a teamwork attitude, ability to listen to the client, thoroughness in the documentation, concern for the design schedule, and ability to design within the established budget. The client benefited from direct involvement from the principal in charge, and the staff was experienced and knowledgeable.” -Ralph W. Rohwer, Executive Associate, Heery International Inc. Grades K-5 |  | ||||
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