This large tenant space in an existing office complex in Bellevue was previously used as office space, but seemed perfect for converting into a new school for the Living Montessori Academy. The existing two story building is built into the hillside, so much of the second level that the new school will occupy looks out to lush green trees and landscaping in this suburban office park.

Since our client had the goal of opening the school in September, we knew we needed to design the project on an aggressively tight schedule and push the project through the permitting process. We finished the majority of the design and submitted for permits in less than six weeks.

The project incorporates a number of green features, including green materials like zero VOC paints, Biobased floor tile and linoleum sheet flooring. Light and occupancy sensors turn off lights when there is enough exterior daylight. Organic foods will be grown in the playground (and be part of the children’s curriculum to learn how to grow their own food).

 

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While this leasable space had previously been used as a daycare, its interior was sterile and institutional looking and feeling. It certainly was not the image that Planet Kids wanted to portray for their progressive Montessori program which features activities like yoga, dance, art, gymnastics, and music. On a tight budget, we devised ways to create more drama with paint, simple architectural detailing and furniture selection. Colors selected were vibrant and rich, and purposely avoided the stereotypical primary colors often selected for spaces for children.

 

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Like many growing companies, Healthcare Payment Specialists has expanded over the years into adjacent leasable space in the same building. Eventually they occupied several suites in the same building, but these spaces remained divided by walls. It was soon apparent that this separation of departments did not create a working environment conducive to collaboration and it was affecting employee morale.

After studying how the company functioned, we devised a plan to remove walls between separate suites and to create central shared spaces, such as copy, file and supply rooms. A shared kitchen that was part of one of the suites became more easily accessible to all employees. The resulting large central gathering space serves as a lunch room for daily use, and for occasional all-office meetings and presentations. To differentiate this space from the surrounding working areas, the ceiling was raised and a perimeter soffit was added, which incorporates cove lighting to illuminate the ceiling.

[See image gallery at www.motion-space.com]