Photo by Benjamin Benschneider, courtesy of NAC|Architecture Cherry Crest Elementary School in Bellevue was completed in August last year. The $33.9 million building was designed by NAC|Architecture and built by Bayley Construction.

Safer schools start with design, not security cameras
Visible, well-organized spaces can discourage crime without turning schools into prisons.
By SCOTT MCCHESNEY and NATHAN LARMORE
Sparling

When a new school is the only game in town
What’s the right design for a high school that has to please the entire community?
By MICHAEL McGAVOCK
McGranahan Architects

A school designed for K-12 and beyond
At the new Olympia Regional Learning Academy, classrooms could have kindergartners one period and high schoolers the next.
By HOLLI ENDICOTT SMITH
TCF Architecture

There's no one way to keep kids safe
Questions for schools to ask: How do we plan for threats? And how can spaces be designed to be more secure?
By REBECCA BAIBAK
Integrus

Theater technology: latest may not be greatest
LEDs are the big new thing, but schools that use them for all their stage lighting could regret it.
By CHRISTOPHER M. OCHOCKI
PLA Designs

Classrooms are out, learning studios are in
Flexible spaces let students work in groups and spend less time listening to lectures.

By GREG STACK
NAC|Architecture

Skateboards move supplies in Chief Sealth rehab
Mechanical crews used skateboards to move piping and supplies through cramped tunnels.

By PAUL W. JOHNSON
Wood Harbinger

Successful projects reflect what voters want
School boards that have their ears to the ground can tell which projects will get the community’s support.

By STUART STOVIN
Harthorne Hagen Architects

“Green dashboards” help students learn to save energy
Students can track their power and water use in real time, and see how they stack up against others.

By STEVEN LEE
Studio Meng Strazzara