March 20, 2026

Gold Winner — K-12 Education

Photo courtesy of NWMI [enlarge]

Horizontal bands of warm orange and red brick, along with illuminated intermittent strips, create a stratified, geological expression that enhances the building’s nighttime presence.

Rainier Beach High School - Phase III, Seattle

Mason contractor: Keystone Masonry

Architect: Bassetti Architects

General contractor: Lydig Construction

Masonry supplier: Mutual Materials

Rainier Beach High School was designed as a 100-year building — an enduring civic landmark that combines durability, performance and bold architectural character. Masonry was selected as the primary exterior material for its timeless quality, resilience, and ability to bring the design vision to life.

The exterior is primarily brick veneer, with CMU-backed masonry at the Skills Center Yard for added durability in high-use areas. These systems provide a low-maintenance, robust envelope suited to a large urban campus.

Two major programmatic volumes anchor the building: the athletics wing to the west and the art and theater wing to the east. Dark brick masonry forms a strong, monolithic presence, punctuated by vertical bands of recessed brick that add depth and rhythm, evoking the basalt cliffs of eastern Washington.

Lower academic and community volumes connect these wings and draw inspiration from red rock slot canyons of the American Southwest. Horizontal bands of warm orange and red brick, along with illuminated intermittent strips, create a stratified, geological expression that enhances the building’s nighttime presence. Custom-angled brick at window and door jambs references eroded sandstone patterns.

The most striking feature is a series of masonry walls that tilt outward and shift in plan, creating a sculptural, dynamic façade. Achieving this geometry required custom masonry corner units and close coordination among the structural engineer, contractor, and anchor manufacturer to ensure structural integrity and weather performance.

Through expressive brick veneer, CMU-backed masonry, custom detailing, and innovative wall geometry, Rainier Beach High School demonstrates how traditional masonry can deliver contemporary architecture that is both visually compelling and built to last. The project celebrates material versatility, craftsmanship, and a grounded presence in the Rainier Beach community.

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• Gold Winner — Higher Education
  
• Gold Winner — Creative Use
  
• Gold Winner — Public
  
• Gold Winner —Tile
  
• Gold Winner — Commercial
  
• Gold Winner — Restoration
  
• Gold Winner — Residential
  
• Gold Winner — Multi-family