SKL partner Rick Sundberg was the architect for the original 1990 building. The architectural intent and structure, as well as the process were driven by community concerns (such as sightlines of neighbors to the east), constraints and opportunities presented by the site itself (such as the grade change) and how actual use patterns compare to the original plan. Rooted in an understanding of the relationship of school design and learning, the design was born of a deep outreach process to understand the specific needs of the community that learns in the building.