From the central atrium at Rainier Beach High School, the eye is drawn upwards to the teaching spaces above. Light enters from overhead. The athletics complex and performing arts centre bring a different character to the Seattle school, with heavy forms that the architects liken to rock.
Seattle Public Schools has celebrated the school’s official opening on 29 August. Students and staff moved into the main building in April 2025, while the performing arts centre and main entrance were ready for the start of the 2026–27 school year. Construction of the athletic fields continues.
US-based architecture practice Moody Nolan served as design architect for the 297,000ft2 replacement school, with Seattle-based Bassetti Architects as architect of record. Current and former students took part in its planning, design and construction.
More than 30 languages are spoken in the community served by Rainier Beach High School. The previous buildings needed substantial repairs and no longer met the needs of students and teachers. Seattle voters approved funding through the Building Excellence V levy in 2019; students continued to campaign for investment the following year.
Seattle Public Schools set an overall budget of $276.84m for the replacement project in June 2023.
The architects considered accessibility, the needs of students affected by trauma and safe pedestrian connections through the surrounding neighbourhood. Construction proceeded in phases so classes could continue on campus. Students remained at the school as the new building took shape.
Across the exterior, a brise soleil controls solar exposure and adds texture to the façade.
The campus also includes a community health centre for students and families. Solar panels and a geothermal loop are part of the building’s environmental strategy. Seattle Public Schools says the project is aiming for LEED Platinum certification.
With the performing arts centre now in use, work on the athletic fields is the remaining phase of the replacement project.
Images: Courtesy of HMC Architects
