Issaquah High School

Owner: Issaquah School District
Scope: 285,500 SF

Situated in a valley framed by two mountains, the campus form engages the natural context and connects learning to location. A courtyard wedge at the center of the V-shaped design opens to a southern view and narrows northward to define the school’s main entry. Extending west from the transparent core are three classroom wings that alternate with landscaped courtyards. To the east, the commons provides a generous foyer for theater and gym events. Light-filled paths radiate from this central volume, opening up to views and reinforcing connections between education, community and the remarkable natural setting. The new school takes advantage of better technology to support classroom needs, daylighting to improve the learning environment and low impact strategies to reduce energy consumption.