3.5 LU
This tour highlights the remarkable journey of Lincoln High School’s transformation, specifically focusing on the shift from a socially segregated community to a thriving and inclusive environment, and from a mid-century model of education to an urban, next generation high school. The heart of this transformation lies in the innovative design and functionality of a series of interconnected spaces including the Commons, covered outdoor seating, a Multicultural Center and several Flex areas, and the open, “enticing” and transparent stair creating the high-rise high school on this small downtown site.
With the aim of modernizing and revitalizing the 1960s fortress-like Neuberger Hall (now Fariborz Maseeh Hall) into a vibrant academic hub serving nearly all of Portland State University’s students, the design team was given a clear directive; transform the building with a contemporary, interactive, and light-filled atmosphere, enhancing connectivity, wayfinding, and accessibility. Additionally, it aimed to ensure compliance with life safety standards while fostering a stronger connection between the university and the city.
3.5 LU
The River Grove Elementary School project is a thoughtful, environmentally progressive replacement of a 1967 elementary school that existed on the same site. The previous 68,846 square foot elementary school was fully demolished, and students moved off-site to Uplands Elementary School during construction. At roughly 82,000 square feet, the new elementary school is currently under construction on the footprint of the original building.
With its welcoming, biophilic environment, Lakeridge Middle School is designed to support the unique needs of the middle school learner. The 141,000 SF school was configured to embrace the site’s mature trees. Twenty-nine trees that could not be saved were harvested and converted into interior and exterior structural columns. The biophilic elements within the building’s circulation, material palette, and performance re-enforce a connection to nature, which has been shown to create improved learning outcomes. The “loop” organization of the building creates an engaging and active environment that exposes the teenage learner to multiple learning opportunities.
3.5 LU
The rebuilding of the new 296,000 sf Leodis V. McDaniel High School (McDaniel High School) transformed the former 1957 facility into a next-generation learning environment that serves the city’s most culturally diverse student population, encompassing more than 30 languages. A five-year planning and design effort involved hundreds of school and community stakeholders through a series of hands-on interactive workshops.
Through extensive engagement with the district, users, and community, Mahlum crafted thorough educational specifications and designed a school to support the needs of each student. The new 134,000 SF Wy’east Middle School serves a diverse population of 900 students in Vancouver, WA. The new school is organized into an academic building surrounding an outdoor courtyard and a renovation and addition to an existing gymnasium. Circulation between buildings and wings through the courtyards, as well as use of designed outdoor classroom and gathering space, allows students to experience nature throughout their day.
3.5 LU
Vancouver iTech Preparatory is a grades 6-12, early college, STEM-focused program created and operated by Vancouver Public Schools on the campus of Washington State University Vancouver. Supported by partnerships with business/industry and higher education, iTech combines STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—with liberal arts by integrating art and design principles into research and problem-based learning.
Prior to occupying it’s new building in January 2020, Vancouver iTech Preparatory was one of seven schools to earn Washington state’s “Innovative Schools” designation for 2016 and was the focus of a “Most Innovative School Districts” case study by the American Association of School Administrators in 2018. The school currently serves around 600 students with plans to grow to 670 over the next few years. The school consists of three stories of approximately 80,000 sf of new construction on a land-lease parcel on the campus of Washington State University-Vancouver. Programmatic elements include science and computer labs, collaboration break-out spaces, maker spaces, media center, fitness/activity turfnasium, and commons/gathering space.
The Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth (CDHY) is nearing completion of a 35,000-sf new mass-timber K-12 academic and 15,000-sf physical education project on the historic Washington School for the Deaf campus. As the only residential ASL-English bilingual school in the state, CDHY offers a holistic approach focused on fostering linguistic, cognitive, social and emotional development, while also promoting the maintenance and study of American Sign Language (ASL) and English.
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Named in honor of a beloved teacher and District leader, The Art Rutkin Elementary School reflects the community-oriented spirit of its’ namesake. Nestled into a steep hillside, the design of the new facility evokes the patterns and textures of the surrounding forest, clearly expresses the timber structure and maximizes students’ connection to the natural world. The school steps up a hill and is arranged in two parallel bars linked by a central community gathering space.
The Oregon Episcopal School (OES) Athletic Center has undergone a significant redesign, tailored to meet the evolving needs of students, athletes, and academic departments. Informed by input from both students and faculty, the updated facility boasts flexible team rooms and gender-inclusive facilities, promoting equity and a sense of belonging. Traditional locker rooms have been replaced with versatile team rooms, accommodating diverse preferences and fostering inclusivity for mixed-gender teams. Emphasizing the revitalization of underutilized spaces, the design encourages collaboration among coaches and their mixed-gender teams.
3.5 LU
Serving students from all over the district, Benson Polytechnic High School is not a typical neighborhood high school in that it uses a lottery system for enrollment. Founded in 1917, Benson has contributed to the industrial and vocational education of countless students over its storied history. In more recent decades, it has been transformed into a CTE (Career Technical Education) focused school, at which students choose a tailored high school path.
hayu aLqi uyxat, Chinook for “many future paths”, represents a shift in how Portland Public Schools delivers alternative education. District programs that had been operating in “leftover space” across multiple campuses across the district will be given a home in one, beautiful new building tailored to meet the needs of students seeking options beyond traditional high school settings.