Van Asselt School, mass timber

Perched atop Beacon Hill, Van Asselt School experienced a remarkable transformation — one that bridges the past with the future through the innovative use of mass timber. This project seamlessly integrates a new classroom wing and gymnasium with the renovation of a historic 1909 schoolhouse. The facility serves as a swing school for Seattle Public Schools, accommodating students from across the district while their home schools are rebuilt. Van Asselt is one of the first schools in Seattle to utilize mass timber building elements such as cross-laminated timber (CLT).

Van Asselt’s expansion is built for flexibility, sustainability and longevity. At the heart of the project is the new classroom wing, a showcase of modern mass timber construction. Exposed glulam beams and CLT decking create a warm and inviting learning environment while enhancing air quality and acoustics throughout. Beyond the classroom wing, the expansion includes a new gymnasium and extensive renovations to the 1950s-era portion of the campus.

Project Highlights:

• Cornerstone’s first K-12 mass timber project
• Seattle Public Schools' first mass timber project
• Utilized concealed Ricon timber-to-timber connections for clean aesthetics in exposed areas
• Implemented and executed a robust moisture mitigation plan during construction to protect timber throughout the rainy season
• Collaborated with design team to optimize structural systems, converting gymnasium to steel framing for cost efficiency