Seattle - A planned $6.2 million addition to Nathan Hale High School will give the school its first major addition in 40 years and its first full performing auditorium.

Designed by Mahlum Architects (Seattle), the 19,300-sq.-ft. addition will include an auditorium with more than 400 seats, a partial fly loft back stage, a gallery lobby for exhibiting student artwork, and a new entry.

The addition will extend out from the front of the existing building, providing the school with a more visual identity and a stronger street presence. The design divides the structure into three primary elements - the stage, audience seating and gallery space - with each defined by contrasting materials. The stage is conceived as a solid mass that anchors the project on the site with heavy masonry clock. The seating area is designed as a floating box that envelopes the stage and hovers above a ground level gallery for student artwork. The addition will be constructed primarily in simple, contrasting mediums and warmed by cherry wood details.

An unusual feature of the design is the inclusion of small teaching forums. Located both indoors and out, these tiered areas lend themselves well to the school's highly personalized small group learning experiences.

Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of the 2004 school year, with completion set for August 2005.

MOSAIC Design Stimulates Port Orchard Shopping Center

Port Orchard - A recent aesthetic renovation at the High Point Center here has dramatically changed the look of the aging strip mall.

Before the renovation was complete last fall, the shopping center featured a tilt-up concrete façade and cantilevered, mansard wood canopies. To provide the owner with a low maintenance but contemporary look, MOSAIC Architecture (Seattle) used hot dipped galvanized framing and corrugated wall panels to spruce up the structure.

The revised center uses the play of different metal components to articulate the façade. Light, galvanized silver canopies hang delicately off the building façade. The metal structure supports a polycarbonate glazing system over the storefronts. Screen walls located in the landscaping beds provide a metal lattice for vines while adding another layer to an otherwise flat building face.

With MOSAIC Architecture, the project team included Tim Ryan Construction Inc., Robert Fossatti Associates (structural engineer) and John M. Bernhard Landscape Architecture.

Vancouver - Team Construction of Vancouver, Wash., was recently selected to build Southview Center Two, a new office complex located at 3250 SE 164th Ave. here.

The new 23,269-sq.-ft. center will feature steel frame construction with a brick veneer finish. Interior spaces will be fashioned to accommodate new tenants and a 100-car parking lot. New concrete walkways will highlight the supporting exterior finishes.

Construction is expected to be complete in April.

Sparling Connects Scouts With PBX Phone Donation

Seattle - Electrical engineering firm Sparling recently donated a PBX phone system to Camp Sheppard, a National Forest recreation site in the Cascade Mountains utilized by the Boy Scouts for more than 60 years. Replacing the camp's mechanical-relay system with a computerized system offers the Boy Scouts more flexible, reliable communications.

The previous phone system, a Western Electric 756 crossbar switch, was installed when Camp Sheppard opened in the 1940s. Essentially a "mechanical computer," it connected relays with a rotary dial to put calls through. The crossbar technology was relatively new at that time.

The new telephone system, an Intertel 416/862 PBX, serviced Sparling's downtown Seattle office until 2002. While this nine-year old system will serve on-site communications at Camp Sheppard between 16 phone stations, this system also offers greater connectivity to outside phone lines, while restricting access to long distance services at some phone stations. With the crossbar system, there was no way to allow or disallow calls, as there wasn't software to support this feature.

When Sparling opened a second office in 2002, it upgraded to an Avaya G3si VOIP-phone system for greater connectivity between offices. "Hotel" workstations, a computerized fax distribution system, and greater flexibility for mobile and remote workers have streamlined firm operations.

The Boy Scouts recently donated their crossbar system to the Telephone Pioneer museum in Cle Elum, Wash.

MRJ Completes New Bank Branch in SODO

Seattle - Seattle contractor MRJ Constructors recently completed the Viking Community Bank Branch located in the SODO Center at First Avenue South and South Mead. The project is a 10,300-sq.-ft. branch bank for the bank's South Seattle office and loan department.

Designed by JPC Architects, the two-story structural steel and wood frame structure features CMU pilasters with metal siding and roofing. The project included the construction of all related sitework, building structure and tenant improvements.

The construction cost of the first phase of the project was $1.3 million. Key subcontractors included Roy Rogers, Inc., earthwork/utilities; Shamrock Landscaping, landscaping/irrigation; RD Masonry, masonry; Metal Services Inc., architectural sheetmetal; Issaquah Glass, glazing; Emerald Aire, HVAC; Tri State Plumbing, plumbing; LNW Fire Protection, sprinklers; and Arlington Electric, electrical.

Construction Software Firm Named on 'Fast 50' List

Seattle - Dexter + Chaney, the developer of Forefront construction management software, was named to Deloitte & Touche's "Fast 50" program for Washington State, a ranking of the state's 50 fastest-growing technology companies. This is the seventh year in a row that Dexter + Chaney has made the list.

Dexter + Chaney recorded 93 percent revenue growth over five years from 1998 to 2002. This growth has resulted from direct sales to construction companies - the firm has never acquired or merged with another company.

Dexter + Chaney placed 43rd in the ranking.

To qualify for the Technology Fast 50, companies must have had operating revenues of at least $50,000 in 1998 and $1 million in 2002; must be public pr private companies headquartered in North America; and be a "technology company" defined as owning proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company's operating revenues.

Schlecht Completing 4-Month Project for Bonneville Power

Schlecht Construction (Vancouver, Wash.) is completing civil improvements at the north and south Bonneville Dam entrances as well as at John Day Dam and the Dallas Dam for Bonneville Power.

In addition to the design and installation of prefabricated security guard stations at each location, Schlecht will work on demolition, paving, striping, site work and concrete upgrades to each facility.

Work started last December and is expected to be complete by this month.