Designed by notable architect Paul Thiry, Cedar Park School opened in 1959 and operated as a neighborhood elementary before being closed in 1981 and leased to Artwood, a group who turned the building into artists’ residences and studios. 30 years later, the District decided to rehabilitate and reopen the Seattle landmark once again. While the innovative structural system of exposed precast concrete frames, tilt-up concrete walls, and precast concrete roof panels exemplify Northwest Modernism, they also created unique renovation challenges to achieve approval from the Landmarks Preservation Board. 

State of the art, carbon fiber reinforcement of the roof and columns was used to meet seismic requirements without compromising the original design aesthetic. Off-the-shelf window parts combined from multiple systems were a cost-effective way to emulate the historic design and meet energy code and WSSP requirements. Maintaining the eve line of the roof was a requirement for Landmark approval and the team accomplished this by tapering off the new roofing insulation, preserving the original design while providing much needed energy efficiency.

The school is currently being used by Seattle Public Schools as an interim facility for Olympic Hills Elementary. Ultimately it will become a neighborhood elementary school, and was designed to be as flexible as possible for future programming, including the addition of modular classrooms.