St Thomas School Performing Arts and Gymnasium Building
st thomas school Athletics and Performing arts Center
Medina, Washington
CLIENT
St. Thomas School
size
18,774 sf
YEAR
2021
award
2022, Learning by Design, New Construction/ Addition, Outstanding Project
2023, Excellence in Masonry, Masonry Institute of Washington, Second Place in the Restoration, Renovation, and Expansion category
St. Thomas School (STS) is a private, independent school incorporating pre-school through eighth grade. The school is in the community of Medina, an eastside suburb of Seattle, Washington. STS was originally designed for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The expansion to include a middle school put some pressure on existing facilities, such as the gym and theater.
Performing arts and health development are highly regarded as part of the core curricula at STS. Working closely with department heads and the community, the architecture team designed a flexible building comprised of a full-size gymnasium with a regulation basketball court, theater space, a music and drama classroom, and a rooftop playfield. To supplement these key spaces the building also includes office space, dressing rooms, and all-gender restrooms.
Transforming space between all uses was a critical challenge to resolve. A vertically folding partition allows the theater to open to the gym for additional performance area and greater flexibility for stage production. The high school size basketball court is lined with telescoping seating that expands, allowing up to 500 audience members to enjoy theater performances or assemblies. The music drama classroom is a multifunctional teaching space that is home to the lower elementary school’s music movement and drama program. The rooftop playfield with artificial turf expands the school’s athletic and outdoor play space.
The building design conveys openness and transparency. Large windows throughout flood the interior with natural light, creating biophilic connections to the trees and wildlife that inhabit the campus. For years to come, students will play and perform in this highly multifunctional building nestled amongst the trees.
