Kentlake Senior High School

Kent, Washington

Firm

Burr Lawrence Rising + Bates Architects

Client

Kent School District No. 415

Area

228,806 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$35,645,000

Completion Date

09/1997

The design of Kentlake Senior High School was conceived through a comprehensive planning effort addressing the learning process of students while also addressing community and cultural needs.
The two-story, compact plan maximizes efficiency of a difficult sloping site. Classrooms are grouped in clusters. The core of the academic area contains a technology center, project room and science labs, creating a common area for interdisciplinary teaching and study. This concept breaks down the scale of the 1,600-student high school into a more personalized, manageable program—a school-within-a-school concept.
The commons is the heart of the school. It is the social hub of the facility and provides space for food service, circulation, and a foyer for performances and athletic events.
The 600-seat auditorium is divisible into three teaching stations through revolving turntables.
Kentlake embraces a spectrum of leading-edge technology; from computers to science labs, from project and technology rooms to the Learning Resource Center. This is a school for the 21st century. More importantly, this is a facility that supports and enhances a quality education program.

Photographer: ©Kit Burns

Additional Information

Cost per Sq Ft

$155.78

Featured in

1999 Educational Interiors

Interior category

Auditoriums/Music Rooms

AS&U Design Competitions

The ultimate tribute to education design excellence. If selected for publication, this distinctive...

Have an exceptional project that deserves national recognition? Want to show your best work to the...