Lynnwood Elementary School

lynnwood elementary school

Lynnwood, Washington

Client

Edmonds School District

Year

2018

Size

85,000 sf

The primary design goal for this elementary school was unification – connecting teachers, students, cultures, and the community. Serving 600 students in grades K–6, the new school provides a learning environment that empowers students to maximize their potential. 

Bassetti’s design of the school’s central glass entry provides visibility through the building and into the courtyard beyond, creating a welcoming environment that extends to the outdoors. The lobby serves as a central hub that acts as a transition area into the courtyard. The lobby wall graphics illustrate the diversity of the community with “welcome” displayed in many languages. The library, located above the lobby on the second floor was designed with high vaulted ceilings, acting as a beacon at night. 

Classrooms and special education spaces allow students the opportunity for hands-on learning and personalized instruction. These classrooms are placed in their own suite to avoid noise and other distractions, while still having access to outdoor views and natural light. 

Bassetti involved students in the graphic design process by asking the children to write “welcome” in their own handwriting. This collection of handwriting samples became the background for a world map, formed by multilingual typography, that celebrates over three dozen languages spoken by the community.

The Edmonds School District and the design team established outdoor learning and play goals through an Integrated Design Workshop for a new school design. The design capitalizes on ecological resources, providing areas for both structured and natural play, and places to engage in outdoor curriculum.