Building Tour - Yasuhara Middle School

Denny Yasuhara Middle School is one of six new middle schools funded by the 2018 bond measure. Of the 6, it is one of three on new sites serving new attendance areas created by SPS grade level reconfiguration. The site is the 2nd smallest of 9 middle school sites with streets on only three sides, two of which are arterials, and has a grade change of 26' from the NE to SW corner. The site required creative site grading and organization to accommodate a 2 level 146,629 sf building in a way that creates a hillside park like environment not dominated by parking.

From about 1890 through the 1950s, the area was occupied by lumber mills for finish woodwork used in Spokane homes in the early 20th century. Use of wood throughout the building, finish colors reflective of fall foliage, log ring imagery highlighting special student spaces and modular sized red brick with black mortar reflect the history of the industrial woodworking neighborhood, and the historic use of brick for schools and university buildings in NE Spokane.

The school is designed according to the new SPS Middle School Design standards that focus on small learning neighborhoods designed to foster relationships and collaboration. Three learning neighborhoods and one special services neighborhood are intentionally arranged in a fan shape from SE to SW to facilitate daylight access into the classrooms. 32 of 34 classrooms have corner windows, and since the school sets on a gentle hillside, even the first floor classrooms have views over the south play field and the roofs of the nearby homes in the immediate attendance area. The experiential spaces for physical fitness, band, choral, art, career and technical education are arranged in the inverse of the fan shape along the north side of the school, visible and accessible across the two story volume of the school center formed by the Learning Commons, Nutrition Commons and Student Services suite. Although all three are internal spaces, all enjoy daylight and views through the learning neighborhood courtyards, large roof daylight monitors, and clerestory windows overlooking experiential spaces and entrances.

The student entry on the west is shaped by exterior student play and activity areas and enters the nutrition commons. An entrance on the north facilitates evening and weekend community use of the gym. The main public entrance on the east is framed by the administration suite and the community outreach center, and on entry, visitors are greeted by a clock tower in the learning commons.

Host or Publisher AIA Spokane