Architecture, landscape, and educational approach are woven together to promote engagement, sustainable practices, and a nurturing environment at Bryant Montessori. The replacement building, nestled amidst century-old homes on a compact residential site, conveys a minimalist aesthetic compatible with its surroundings.
Tacoma Public Schools
The dormers and shadow boxes add depth and character to the building’s façade, and simultaneously aim for seamless integration within the neighborhood.
Throughout the project, repeated echoes of the gabled structure offer a recognizable theme to offer a home-like feeling for students. Triangle-topped features appear in unexpected places such as doorways, vestibules, reading nooks, to create cohesion and connection between the school and the surrounding neighborhood.
From entry to stair, everyday spaces reflect Montessori principles of independence and belonging. A warm, wood-lined reception desk greets families with openness, while generous, light-filled stairways encourage movement, curiosity, and connection—turning circulation into uplifting moments that shape the daily rhythm of school life.
Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery helped address challenging construction logistics in and around the small site bordered by narrow surrounding streets, made further complex by existing site easements. These parameters posed limitations in access and maneuvering of construction vehicles, equipment and delivery traffic. Careful communication amongst Bryant families, staff, neighbors, as well as those associated with construction, minimized disruption and ensured safety throughout the process.
Work
