Hilltop Heritage Elementary School, mass timber

The Renton School District set out determined to build the East Renton Highlands community a school that advanced sustainable building practices and fostered forward-thinking learning environments for future generations. The new Hilltop Heritage Elementary School did just that – it is a groundbreaking project that set a new standard for sustainable and innovative school construction as the first elementary school in the Puget Sound region to incorporate mass timber as a primary structural element.

The school's structural system features cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels and dowel-laminated timber (DLT), supported by glulam beams and columns, creating a warm and inviting environment for students and staff. The design prioritizes the exposure of mass timber as a final architectural feature while strategically concealing mechanical and electrical systems to maintain a clean aesthetic. This approach not only highlights the innate beauty of wood but uses it to connect students more closely with nature, enhancing the educational atmosphere.

Project Highlights:

• First elementary school in the region built with mass timber
• Collaborated with design team to develop flexible wood sourcing specifications allowing SFI, PEFC and alternative sustainability certifications to enable competitive bidding
• Evaluated and optimized DLT vs CLT applications for acoustic and structural performance
• Refined connection detailing to minimize visual impact of temporary bracing on exposed columns
• Coordinated delivery sequencing to maintain construction momentum during critical erection periods