The Panther Lake Elementary School serves largely low-income, transitory families in the Federal Way Public Schools community in Washington state. DLR Group’s design encompasses a 45,000-SF replacement elementary school on a 10.2-acre site serving 450 students in grades K through 5. Bold forms and colors connect young students and families spanning diverse backgrounds and languages. The school was designed as a place for kids to be focused and wild, learners and doers, scholars and explorers, and environmental stewards.

Designers collaborated with the district and school staff to strategically distill a modular educational program. Rooms of consistent size, infrastructure, and technologies allow spaces to easily flex and respond to curricular needs that might change daily, weekly, annually, or over a projected fifty years. Every classroom-sized space features data and wireless infrastructure, a sink, mobile furnishings and storage, and minimizes specific built-in amenities; so the same room could potentially serve as a classroom, a staff lounge, or a computer lab. Formal learning spaces are collocated in bars that intersect with a network of social, performance, and large group spaces.

The scope of work included the development of a flexible program and adaptable plan that meets Washington Sustainable Schools Program (WSSP) requirements; and archetypal design strategies for this and three subsequent schools. DLR Group provided planning, architecture, engineering, and interiors services.

Material Used :

1. Hardie Panel Siding

2. PlyGem Vinyl PVC Architectural Windows

3. Architectural Specialties Skylights

4. Sherman Williams Exterior/ Interior Paint

5. Masland Contract Carpet, Texere 7214

6. Gridstone Vinyl Faced Gypsum Core Acoustical Ceiling Panels

7. Tiles:  Crossville Cross-color Series; Royal Mosa Global Wall Series; Laticrete Setting Systems

8. Guilford of Maine Fabric Wrapped Ceiling Panels

9. Forbo Bulletin Board