NAC was tasked with completing the Enumclaw High School addition and modernization to give students ample space for learning in a state-of-the-art facility in Enumclaw, Washington.

Enumclaw High School’s modernization and classroom addition provides 1,500 students with a secure facility and modern, updated amenities. The addition on the south half of campus replaced multiple outdoor access classroom buildings, while the remaining half received major upgrades and improvements to match the new construction. The end result is a completely transformed place of learning.

The project consolidated and expanded the core academic spaces of the school into two wings connected by a third volume containing the career center, expansion of the cafeteria, and the library/media center. Each classroom wing is centered around the two-story learning commons equipped with a variety of seating, an adjacent small group room, and a kitchenette. A central courtyard between the academic wings serves as an extension of the commons space and is oriented toward the spectacular view of Mount Rainier.

The school’s bright, airy spaces support the whole student, academically, socially, and emotionally. Soft seating, laptop bar counters, large marker board surfaces, and interactive projectors promote conversations and collaborative group work throughout the learning commons. The life skills suite for students with developmental disabilities is centrally located while providing privacy. The new music suite offers small ensemble and practice rooms in addition to the classrooms. Large lab spaces are designed for sharing between the lecture classrooms.

Strategic interventions in the existing building complete the pro¬gram enhancements. The physical education and athletic areas, agriculture-science building, culinary arts, and digital media areas were completely renovated. A future performing arts center is planned to complete the campus modernization and connect the agriculture-science building to the rest of the school.

Design: NAC
Contractor: Forma Construction
Photography: Benjamin Benschneider