The Bush School

By Caterina Testa - 2 September 2024

The Bush School New Upper School is nestled amidst a dense swathe of old trees planted to a design by Frederick Law Olmsted at the beginning of the 20^th century. Situated alongside the historic Gracemont Hall, this new building serves students from grades 9 through 12, expanding the physical capacity for this innovative independent school. History and nature were therefore the key references for this design.

Located near the north-west coast close to the border with Canada, the U.S. city of Seattle stretches along several different natural bodies of water, giving rise to a singular urban distribution and structure. To the west, the city runs along the Puget Sound that connects with the Pacific Ocean while to the east, it extends along the banks of Lake Washington.

Moving away from the densely built-up downtown area on the coast of the sound, the city thins out towards the lake, becoming a series of residential neighborhoods of detached family homes amidst parks and avenues. The Bush School is located in one of the more densely inhabited residential areas as part of the drive to improve the civic infrastructure in these sections of the city.

The Bush School was also an opportunity to put into practice a new model of educational space that not only meets pupils’ scholastic needs but also stands as an example of responsible, environment-friendly building. The project therefore also aimed to inspire positive change beyond the school, just as the ultimate aim of any school is to spread knowledge and improve people’s lives in society at large.

Designed by Mithun, the new building is located at the eastern – and most steeply sloped – edge of The Bush School upper campus, its footprint nestling into the scarped terrain between the historic building and many trees. These, in fact, were the two non-negotiable constraints of the brief and the starting point for the design of the new spaces.

Building...