Architectural firm Mithun has been selected by the Northwest School to design a new multi-use gymnasium and dining facility on an East Pike parcel that is currently home to a Diamond parking lot.
We reported on the school’s $2.3 million acquisition of the lot in May 2010. Before acquisition by the private middle and high school, the lot at East Pike and Bellevue had been slated for a mixed-use development. Now, according to Friday’s announcement, Mithun has begun planning a gymnasium and dining facility that will replace spaces currently rented by the school. You also see Northwest kids on Bobby Morris from time to time.
In a statement, school board president Cory Carlson said he is excited by Mitun’s innovation. “Their open approach to design was exciting to the selection group. We are optimistic they will design a building that captures the unique learning style that happens at The Northwest School.
On the Hill, Mithun has designed both of the most recently completed open space projects Seven Hills and Summit Slope parks as well as education facilities like Seattle Prep’s fine arts center. Some will also note Mithun’s influence on Hill architecture — both positive and negative — as reflected by the Brix condos.
Northwest says it’s too early to provide schedules yet but is expecting a timeline by spring. For now, the site will remain a paid parking lot.
As for community feedback, Northwest says it’s early for that too but that they want the project to synch with the neighborhood. School spokesperson Nicole Brown:
We will certainly be seeking community feedback at some point, and I know that our Head of School, Ellen Taussig, has already begun conversations with some community planning organizations. She is also a board member of the Capitol Hill Housing Foundation. We will be looking for Mithun to guide us in the process, but again, it is so early in the process that there is no set schedule yet in terms of when we’ll be working with the community on the project. Being longtime Capitol Hill residents, we certainly want an active and positive engagement with the neighborhood.
For now, Hill residents can look forward to a new project that isn’t yet another mixed-use apartment building.
