John Muir Elementary School

Owner: Lake Washington School District
Scope: 9.7 acres | 58,000 SF

The new John Muir Elementary School will replace an existing facility located on the same site. Potential building area was limited to a narrow band oriented north and south. This challenge was taken as an opportunity to build a powerful relationship between the school and the forested ravine along the east edge of the site, honoring the legacy of John Muir through environmental connections and stewardship. The program is organized in a series of shifting volumes. Shared group learning spaces form the physical and philosophical heart of the school. Open visual and physical access between all learning spaces within the clusters supports an open and connected learning environment. Circulation spaces, the library, and the commons are developed as transparent connectors that allow the forest to weave through the school.