Kenmore Elementary School
Maywood Hills Elementary School
Date Posted: 11.25.2024
Construction has begun on new buildings and campus-wide improvements at Kenmore and Maywood Hills Elementary Schools in Northshore School District. The projects aim to improve student and staff safety, enhance accessibility and replace outdated portable classrooms with permanent, state-of-the-art educational facilities.
The pair of projects are being delivered by the Mithun | Lease-Crutcher Lewis progressive design-build team. The scope of work at Kenmore Elementary includes a new 13,170 sf building and 43,810 sf of modernization. Maywood Hills Elementary will receive a new 22,300 sf building and modernization of 50,340 sf of existing buildings. Both schools will continue to operate on-site during construction, and are slated to be complete in time for classes in fall 2025.
Campus improvements at Kenmore Elementary School will update existing facilities and improve site circulation and security within the constraints of a tight budget. A new administrative suite and commons building—including a new school entry, main office, cafeteria/food service and multi-purpose spaces—will enhance campus cohesion and functionality. The new addition is sited to create a central heart on campus connecting the new campus entry with community gathering space designed to facilitate student movement from learning spaces to a new, fully inclusive playground adjacent to the existing playfield.
A comprehensive site reorganization will create a more pedestrian-friendly environment and clarify arrival for buses and cars, separating vehicular circulation from foot traffic and improving sight lines. Site improvements reduce impervious surfaces, respect natural water flow to three class 1 wetlands surrounding the school, and incorporate wetland restoration and protection efforts.
Construction at Maywood Hills Elementary School will yield a new two-story building housing seven new teaching spaces—including five state-of-the-art classrooms with shared learning space, a music room and a multipurpose room—alongside a new cafeteria / food service. Inserted within a tight space on campus, the new structure bridges 16-feet of grade change with a new elevator-accessible connection between the school entry and learning spaces at the lower level, and playfields above. Shared spaces including the school cafeteria on the upper floor will offer prospect out to amazing views southeast toward Mount Rainier, along with direct access to the existing playfield and a new fully inclusive playground and covered play structure. Additional campus improvements include a new bus access lane, re-roofing existing buildings and more accessible pathways.
Sustainable features of the new buildings at both Kenmore and Maywood Hills Elementary Schools include the use of ground-source heat exchange systems that will significantly reduce energy costs and carbon footprint over time. Additional features include healthy materials, a high-performance envelope, daylighting strategies and stormwater improvements including low-impact raingardens. Recognizing the value of existing building reuse, both schools will receive a comprehensive interior refresh designed to breathe new life into every space and create cohesion between existing and new spaces.
Mithun is providing integrated design services including architecture, interior design and landscape architecture. Lease Crutcher Lewis is the contractor and design-build team leader. The design team also includes KPFF Consulting Engineers (structural and civil engineering), Glumac (mechanical engineer and lead plumbing designer), Hargis Engineers, Inc. (electrical engineer and audio visual systems), 4EA Building Science Inc. (building envelope), Stantec (acoustician), JLR Design Group (food service), William Brown Landscape Architecture (irrigation design), M.Thrailkill Architect, LLC (specifications) and Studio Pacifica, Ltd. (accessibility consultant).
