Roosevelt High SchoolRenovation & Addition

Seattle, WashingtonRenovation

Lee J. Brockway AwardBassetti Architects

2008 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Roosevelt High SchoolRenovation & Addition

West View of Original Building, Addition, & PlayfieldCommunity EnvironmentHistoric Roosevelt High School is bordered by an urban village which will include a mass transit station. 1960’s additions were removed and the site was re-graded to provide a community-accessible athletic field and connect to the urban village. Placement of the athletic field at the site’s periphery, provides a buffer between urban density and a new outdoor plaza.

Community EnvironmentRetention of the landmark building’s scale on the north side respects single-family residences. A main corridor, connecting a new addition with the historic structure, houses community functions and includes an adult education classroom.

North View of Historic and New Facades

Learning EnvironmentAcademic areas are organized into eight small learning communities (SLC) surrounding a daylit library. By reconfiguring the historic floor plan and re-using the old assembly hall, daylighting revitalizes the interior. Digital infrastructure, accessible raceways, and provision for future wireless hubs, support the SLCs.

Daylit Library at the Core of the Historic Building

Learning EnvironmentA new 750-seat theater, a 150-seat black box performance space, in addition to teaching and support spaces, reinforces Roosevelt’s performing arts program. Flexible and adaptive design supports a traditional departmental model, grade-based houses, or semi-autonomous small schools.

Collaboration is enhanced through SLCs, shared teacher planning areas, small group areas, and distributed administrative offices. The scale of the school is broken down into personalized groupings, encouraging safety by ensuring adult supervision throughout. Located in the middle of the site, the outdoor student plaza reinforces safety.

New 750-Seat Theater

Physical Environment The historic building and addition form an “L” shaped campus around the athletic field. A concrete plinth forms the base for both the historic building and addition, forming an extended walkway and entrance plaza overlooking the field.

New Addition Beyond Landmark Building

Physical EnvironmentBoth the historic entrance and entry into the new commons spill out onto the walkway and allow visitors and students to admire the historic building, addition and field from a common vantage point.

Student Commons Looking South

Planning ProcessIn the fall of 2001, Seattle Public Schools convened a group of educators, administrators, and architects developed a new model of school design composed of seven guiding principles: learner-centered environment, personalized environment, program adaptability, community connections, aesthetics, safety, and collaboration.

Classrooms Accommodate Multiple Learning Styles

Planning ProcessIn the spring of 2002, a School Design Team convened, including students, parents, teachers, administrators, business and government representatives, facility managers and architects, and neighbors. In concert with a School Design Checklist, the guiding principles were used to critique, guide and approve the design of Roosevelt High School. This design committee clarified programmatic imperatives including personalization, collaboration, equity and access, integrated technology, flexibility and adaptability, performing arts focus, and community after-hours use.

New Gymnasium Supports After-Hours Community Use

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

Submitting Firm : Bassetti ArchitectsProject Role ArchitectProject Contact Lorne McConachie AIATitle PrincipalAddress 71 Columbia Street, Suite 500City, State or Province, Country Seattle, Washington 98104Phone (206) 340-9500

Other Firm: Magnusson Klemencic AssociatesProject Role Structural & Civil EngineerProject Contact Jay TaylorTitle PrincipalAddress 1301 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3200City, State or Province, Country Seattle, Washington 98101Phone (206) 292-1200

Other Firm: The Berger PartnershipProject Role Landscape ArchitectProject Contact Jeff GirvinTitle PrincipalAddress 1721 Eighth Avenue NCity, State or Province, Country Seattle, Washington 98109Phone (206) 325-6877

Construction Firm: Hoffman ConstructionProject Role General ContractorProject Contact Trevor ThiesTitle Proejct ManagerAddress 1505 Westlake Avenue North, Suite 500City, State or Province, Country Seattle, Washington 98109Phone (206) 286-6697

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

Project Name Roosevelt High School Renovation and Addition 

City Seattle

State Washington

District Name Seattle Public Schools

Supt/President  Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D.

Occupancy Date  September 6, 2006

Grades Housed 9-12

 

Capacity(Students) 1,600

Site Size (acres) 10 acres

Gross Area (sq. ft.) 296,600 SF

Per Occupant (pupil)   122.5 SF/pupil

gross/net please indicate 296,600 SF gross / 256,483 SF net 

 

Design and Build?   No

If yes, Total Cost:  

Includes:  

 

If no,  

Site Development:   $ 4,700,000

Building Construction: $ 67,600,000

Fixed Equipment:   $ 2,900,000

Other:   $ 18,700,000

 

Total:   $ 93,900,000

Before Images

Dark Assembly Hall at Historic Building Core Old Library

Incompatible Additions

With transparent community input, clear planning goals focused on the needs of our children, and a commitment to sustain our landmark structures, we can transform our aging schools into vital 21st-century centers of learning.

Transition between Addition and Landmark Buildling

“Everybody’s pumped up about the new school. . . the library – you want to go sit and read, it’s the perfect place. It’s like they designed it so we can learn better.”

-- Davey Friedman, senior class president quoted in the Seattle Times 10/10/06

Interior View of Library

“For the past two years, students and staff have been housed at Lincoln High School while they awaited their return. But there would be little argument that the wait was worth it. The newly refurbished school is stunning.”

-- The Roosie, October 2006 (Roosevelt Neighborhood Association Newsletter)

Multi-use Commons Serves as a Foyer to Theater and Gym

“It’s just a beautifully done school; it will enhance learning and boost morale. People have said it feels more like a college.”

-- Chuck Chinn, principal

Small Group Area in Small Learning Communities

Collaboration in Teacher Planning Area

“Theater professionals who’ve seen the theater liken it to a ‘mini Benaroya,’ [concert hall] or on par with the Seattle Repertory Theatre,” said Ruben Van Kempen, the school’s director of theater.

-- Seattle Times 10/10/06

View of Theater Seating from Stage

Roosevelt High School is a revitalized community anchor that meets the educational needs of the future. By celebrating a historic building, this high school instills a sense of community pride in alumni, neighbors and students.

Restoration of the Original Building’s Exterior