Around CampusBush News
The Bush School Upper School South Building Awarded COTE Top Ten Award for Exemplary Design
On Thursday, June 5, The Bush School’s Upper School South Building was celebrated by The Committee on the Environment (COTE®) for blazing trails in design excellence and becoming the first Passive House certified project to receive an AIA COTE Top Ten award.
As one of the newest additions to the Upper School campus, its compelling design stands out as the largest energy-efficient structure in the Western United States, providing a beneficial stormwater system that protects the Salmon ecosystem and offers students an innovative space to learn. The 2025 COTE Top Ten program, now in its twenty-eighth year, was founded on the philosophy of sustainability and ecological significance, and the Upper School South Building excelled in every aspect.
“This is a watershed moment for the school, and we are proud to achieve this national recognition. The architects and builders listened to the school’s team and created a building that is the physical manifestation of our mission and values,” said Head of School Percy Abram.
The Upper School South building, which opened in May 2022, is situated neatly into the hill on the south corner of the Upper School campus, adjacent to Gracemont Alumni Hall, offers a striking academic environment for students in grades nine through twelve to study, gather, and collaborate. Inside, they can relish in the sustainable materials, natural light, and accessible spaces for those with mobility challenges.
This Zero Energy-certified academic building also features a glued laminated timber foundation and plywood embellishments to reduce externalized carbon and heat. Using the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome’s extreme conditions as a reference, the optimized structure was tested for its passive durability and withstood external temperatures of above one hundred degrees. The interior heat index remained below ninety degrees, even at peak outside temperatures of 108 degrees.
As one of the newest additions to the Upper School campus, its compelling design stands out as the largest energy-efficient structure in the Western United States, providing a beneficial stormwater system that protects the Salmon ecosystem and offers students an innovative space to learn. The 2025 COTE Top Ten program, now in its twenty-eighth year, was founded on the philosophy of sustainability and ecological significance, and the Upper School South Building excelled in every aspect.
“This is a watershed moment for the school, and we are proud to achieve this national recognition. The architects and builders listened to the school’s team and created a building that is the physical manifestation of our mission and values,” said Head of School Percy Abram.
The Upper School South building, which opened in May 2022, is situated neatly into the hill on the south corner of the Upper School campus, adjacent to Gracemont Alumni Hall, offers a striking academic environment for students in grades nine through twelve to study, gather, and collaborate. Inside, they can relish in the sustainable materials, natural light, and accessible spaces for those with mobility challenges.
This Zero Energy-certified academic building also features a glued laminated timber foundation and plywood embellishments to reduce externalized carbon and heat. Using the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome’s extreme conditions as a reference, the optimized structure was tested for its passive durability and withstood external temperatures of above one hundred degrees. The interior heat index remained below ninety degrees, even at peak outside temperatures of 108 degrees.
“It’s rare to work with such a committed client that couples high aspirations for sustainable design with the strong intention to have their facilities be a visible example of change in the broader community,” said Mithun partner Brendan Connolly FAIA through a press release. “From the outset, The Bush School wanted this project to matter to more than just its students, to also broadcast powerful new ideas like Mass Timber and achieve Passive House certification to the broader city and region. It’s exciting to see the positive impact happening beyond its property lines!”
The Bush School is an independent, coeducational day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 735 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities
3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status