Owner: Seattle Public Schools (SPS)

Client: Mahlum Architects, Inc.

Alki Elementary School Replacement and Gym Modernization is a GCCM project located in West Seattle. This site drains via public storm mains towards Alki Beach, where it discharges to the historically salmon bearing Schmitz Creek roughly 100 feet from the Puget Sound. This location informed the importance of how we addressed stormwater. After listening to the community and owner, our team collaboratively integrated visible stormwater and coastal elements into the site and building design. A collection of exposed disconnected downspouts, permeable pavements, rainwater cisterns, bioretention facilities and art represent community values and teach environmental respect. All this while minimizing maintenance and meeting code requirements in a creative way.

This site is the smallest in the SPS district at 1.45 acres and yet still needs to house 500 K-5 students in a 75,000 SF multistory building. Surrounded by steep slopes, liquification zones and peat soils- stormwater design included a variety of challenges. This project collected and treated adjacent existing gym stormwater to account for site elements that the constrained site would not convey to treatment locations. Conventional design elements included a cast-in-place concrete vault with pumps, conveyance piping and waterproofing with belts and suspenders.

Alki Elementary School construction is projected to be completed in Fall 2026. Total Project Costs are approximately $70,000,000.