Vertical Divider

Meridian school
Seattle, WA

In 2020, the Meridian School purchased a large single-family residence adjacent to their campus at the Good Shepard Center and turned to AGD to help program a use for the space. AGD worked through numerous regulatory hurdles to obtain a Conditional Use Permit and a Change of Use for a conversion to a small preschool on the ground floor and administrative offices above.

Entry to the new school passes through a landscaped front garden, up a generously reconfigured stair or accessible lift, through a shared entry foyer into a spacious and interconnected learning area. The backyard has been redesigned into an outdoor play area with raised seating areas and planted beds. New windows with lowered sills and generous and safe stairs and porches connect inside to out. The design extends to intricate details, such as cozy corners, thoughtful finishes, new LED lighting and creative storage and display solutions. Sustainability features include nontoxic finishes, rooftop solar panels, a demonstration rain barrel, heat pumps and a dedicated outside air system.