Panther Lake Elementary School

Panther Lake Elementary School opens young minds to learning by immersing them in an environment that celebrates the dualities of daily educational experience: work/play, focus/exploration, school/neighborhood. DLR Group's design for this first of four new schools strengthens the suburban community by creating a connection with surrounding schools and parks; by providing healthy, sustainable learning spaces that can adapt to meet changing needs over time; and by expressing a bold new vision of the district as a community hub. Panther Lake is school as connector between district and community, adult and child, people and nature, present and future, reality and aspiration.
  

This project encompasses the design of a 45,000 SF replacement elementary school on a 10.2 acre site serving 450 students in grades K-5. The unique scope of work included the development of a unique, flexible program and adaptable plan; sustainable design meeting WSSP requirements; and archetypal design strategies for this and three subsequent schools. DLR Group provided architecture, interiors, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering services, and structural engineering during early concept development.The school's design has recieved much recognition and won many awards, including:2009 AIA Seattle "What Makes it Green" Recognition (Honorable Mention)Silver Award-Collabetition by Schooldesigner.com2010 IIDA Northern Pacific Design IN Public Award2011 Merit Award by the AIA Washington Council2011 Schooldesigner.com Best Design Overall Silver Award.