Firm: Bassetti Architects

Project Name: Highline High School

Project Statement: Constructed between 1923 and 1928, this high school’s presence became a beacon to the importance of education in the community for the next century. This community connection was a critical factor in the design of the new school and became the jumping point for design conversations. The student body is a complex tapestry of cultures.., The city is comprised of a diverse economic community – from low-income to wealthy waterfront property. We asked the poignant question about what elements bring a diverse community together – the farmer’s market was the unanimous answer.

The interiors team built a color scheme around the vibrant colors found in marketplaces – spices, flowers, fabric -- and used those throughout the school to highlight key areas within the commons and throughout the school. The bright and warm colors play off the mass timber construction of the common; are woven into the carpeting in the library and seating; and portrayed in the experiential graphics throughout the school. The experiential graphics, which complement the marketplace theme, are abstractions of weaving looms with thread of culture – history of the students and history of athletics at the school, woven as horizontal weft through the vertical warp.

The focus of the interiors was on social spaces, food, and collaboration with vertical marquee lettered signage providing additional way-finding. Moveable and varied seating on the second story of the commons, and in each learning community’s flex space, give students the students choice over their spaces.

The school colors, purple and gold, complement the marketplace palette and were used throughout the interiors in strategic areas including the athletics wing, school store, and reception area. The latter greet the students with a bright pop of gold behind the reception desk with welcoming graphics in over 25 languages.

The new high school builds on the heritage of the previous school. Key pieces of terracotta ornament and art glass were salvaged and reused in the new façade which was constructed with materials and proportions that respect and reflect the heritage of the existing structure. An existing stained-glass window featuring the school mascot, a pirate, was positioned above the entry to acknowledge the past while entering into the future. This student and community entry is a gallery-style space for student artwork and project display with specialty lighting and room for fixed and moveable displays. Pirate pride swells in the new school.

The community understands the importance of sustainability and the role that it plays in creating a generation of environmentally responsible students. The following are simple measures that the team took:

+ The project received 66 credits in the 2015 WSSP Version 2 checklist.

+ Stormwater gardens are featured in the main landscaped areas and feature native and drought tolerant plantings.

+ Potable water use is reduced by 37% beyond the baseline by using low flow fixtures.

+ Energy performance is 20.2% better than 2015 Energy Code baseline.

+ The building is Photo-voltaic (PV) ready with roof structure, conduit and panel space for inverters provided.

+ The target EUI is 31.8.

+ Indoor Air Quality is a key element of the design with ducted HVAC returns to avoid dust and microbial growth associated with plenum returns; 4” MERV 13 filters are provided at air handling units; and each classroom has individual controls.

+Sustainable materials are used and confirmed by requiring Environmentally Preferrable Products and Health Product Disclosures (HPD’s).

Dan Miles AIA, Assoc. DBIA
Principal in Charge
Mark Smedley AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Project Manager
Michelle Yates AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Architect
Lindsay Crawford AIA
Architect
Alan Dodson AIA
Architect
Hung-Nan Chen
Architect
Kristian Kicinski AIA, LFA, LEED AP BD+C
Sustainability Lead
Amanda Hoehn IIDA, LEED AP
Interiors Lead
Elaine Danielson LEED Green Associate | Experiential Graphic Designer

Owner | Highline Public Schools | | 

General Contractor | Skanska USA | | 

Structural | PCS Structural Solutions | | 

Mechanical | Metrix Engineers | | 

Electrical | Hargis Engineers, Inc. | | 

Cost Control | Robinson Company | | 

Landscape Architect | AHBL, Inc. | | 

Civil | Sitewise Design PLLC | | 

Acoustical | Stantec Consulting Inc. | | 

Food Service Consultant | JLR Design Group | |