The Northwest School at 401 East Pike

A New Model for Urban Schools

The Northwest School at 401 East Pike

Seattle, WA

Uniting Campus and Program

This new building is a catalyst project for the Northwest School, enriching its urban campus and consolidating programs that were previously distributed across the neighborhood. The variegated façade echoes the signature yellow clapboards of the adjacent historic Summit School building. An overlaid fenestration pattern is inspired by wavelengths to celebrate the school’s art and science focused curriculum.

Learning Happens Everywhere

Specialized spaces are intricately layered to achieve strict performance standards and fit within the tight 100-foot square site, a former surface parking lot. Reflecting the school’s strong “hallway culture,” connector spaces support interdisciplinary learning and student community.

Enriching Place and Planet

Sustainability is integrated throughout, from native plantings to the interactive energy and water performance dashboard, and rooftop solar hot water array. The facility presents a new paradigm for the urban school, one that enriches the neighborhood as well as the development of engaged citizens.

The building’s dynamic façade and structural rhythm respond to its place within the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood.

Extensive landscape provides a verdant edge and stormwater function to the site and hardscape-dominated urban context.

The two-tiered dining hall and study area provide dynamic and distinct layers of use, experience and activity within an open-plan concept on the main public level.

The gymnasium creates a new athletic heart for the campus, balancing daylighting on all four sides with orientation-sensitive glazing to minimize glare.

The rooftop sport court overlooks the city, and provides inspiring views along with precious outdoor space for ultimate frisbee and futbal practices.

The ochre façade echoes the historic building that is home to the educational core of the school.

West Elevation-The fenestration pattern on the gymnasium block is inspired by sinusoidal curves of sound, movement and color wavelengths that connect art and science.

Strategic landscape elements provide ecological function and buffering between the school and the public realm.

A New Model for Urban Schools

The Northwest School at 401 East Pike