Grandview is a community of 11,000 people located in the central part of Washington state. The new Grandview High School replaced the existing circa 1970’s building on the existing high school site. The 38-acre campus features the new building at 197,515 square feet in a two-story configuration designed to accommodate 1,200 students. Construction phasing and building configuration were strong considerations in the design process to accommodate the relatively tight site including the existing building (which remained occupied) during the construction process.

The existing high school building that was replaced was of a campus design with considerable exterior circulation. While not ideal for a good portion of the year in central Washington’s climate, it was a very popular gathering space during the times of suitable weather. That, as well as natural daylighting, was a strong consideration for incorporating the central courtyard portion of the new building design. The courtyard is furnished with seating, flowers in hanging and grounded pots, a playful shade structure, and artificial turf.

Durability, life cycle cost, and maintenance considerations led to the choice of CMU, metal wall panels and metal siding as exterior finishes. Selection of sophisticated HVAC controls, sustainable materials, proper acoustic design, and water conservation were part of the district’s commitment to sustainability.

Interior elements include extensive natural daylighting in community spaces, as well as in the gymnasiums. A 454-seat auditorium gets considerable community use. Interior finishes feature a neutral color palette with bolder school colors accents, as well as extensive use of linear wood ceilings and acoustic clouds in the public areas. The Commons area also features a striking resilient sheet flooring installation honoring “The Red Line of Equity” which assures that every student is treated equally and the commitment to support and nurture the dreams of every student. This red line flows from the Commons area throughout the building. Classrooms are bright with natural daylighting, equipped with current technology, instructional aids and furnished with ample storage, new classroom furniture and carpet executed in the school color palette.