Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

A.G. Bell Elementary School

Lake Washington School District, Kirkland, Wash.

  • 09/01/15

A.G. Bell Elementary SchoolWith an existing forest and wetland, significant slopes and a sprawling campus, the replacement of A.G. Bell Elementary posed challenging natural and built constraints. DLR Group’s design brings restoration to the fractured site by integrating its unique qualities in a school enabled to meet educational goals, sustainably reduce the cost of ownership and reinforce community connections. Featuring roof canopies and staggered elevations, the building complements nearby vegetation and maximizes daylight through sunshades, light-diffusing glass and deliberate orientation, reinforcing transparent learning environments.

The surrounding forest was left intact, requiring diligent phasing of the occupied site and integration of walking paths to surrounding neighborhoods. Based on two primary circulation axes, A.G. Bell Elementary offers ease of circulation, equal access to shared learning spaces and pays homage to the former school through the reuse of salvaged cedar wood covering the library (seen prominently from the entryway and lobby). With a clear, welcoming entry and adequate space designed for community and school use, A.G. Bell Elementary is now enabled to serve both its students and community.

A.G. Bell Elementary SchoolARCHITECT

DLR Group
NOAH GREENBERG
206.461.6000

PROJECT INFORMATION

CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR
Forrest Miller

COMPLETION DATE
September 2013

GROSS AREA
65,306 sq. ft.

PER STUDENT
119 sq. ft.

SITE SIZE
9 acres

CURRENT ENROLLMENT
N/A

CAPACITY
550 students

COST PER STUDENT
$36,363

COST PER SQ. FT.
$306

TOTAL COST
N/A

COMPANY PROFILE

Founded in Omaha in 1966, DLR Group has grown to 22 offices across the U.S., Shanghai, and Dubai and over 600 employees combining international experience with local expertise. As an integrated design firm, we provide architecture, design, engineering and planning.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part I

    We asked, you answered, and the results are in! Last year, we put out a call for submissions to collect our readership’s opinion on trends and predictions for K–12 and higher education facilities in 2026.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.