Wing Luke Elementary School is in Seattle's South Beacon Hill neighborhood and is home to a diverse student population from various communities in the area. The school is named after Wing Chong Luke, Seattle's first non-white city council member and the first Asian American to hold elected office in the Pacific Northwest.
The two-story, 75,000-square-foot building consists of a steel frame structure with massive moment frames, replacing an obsolete structure. A new library with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Washington to the east is a signature design element of the school. The classrooms are uniquely organized around a cluster of open common learning spaces, along with a small enclosed space for group collaboration. This arrangement allows teachers to tailor their teaching spaces to meet the diverse needs of their students, including project-based group work and personalized instructions.
Throughout preconstruction and construction, JMC's team ensured that the required structural steel was pre-ordered and available, and that all construction phases and schedules were clearly communicated with subconsultants. When the pandemic struck, our team took the initiative to implement all necessary safety measures and protocols, setting the standard for others to follow in the industry. Despite some minor delays due to severe staff shortages, the project team persevered and completed the construction schedule without significant setbacks.
During construction, JMC's team also maintained transparent communication with the surrounding community, informing them of any disturbances or inconveniences weeks in advance. Leaflets and flyers were distributed, while keeping all communication channels open. The Wing Luke Elementary School project is a testament to the importance of diversity and inclusion, and JMC's team made it a priority to truly integrate into the community throughout the duration of this project.