Lakeridge Middle School
Adapting Light, Material, and Atmosphere
Seeing Beyond the Frame
Photographing architecture is never just about documenting a space—it’s about capturing intent, atmosphere, and the relationship between structure and environment. When Mahlum Architects hired me to photograph Lakeridge Middle School in Lake Oswego, just south of Portland, I knew going in that the images had to capture more than its form. The design, deeply connected to nature and materiality, needed to be felt through the photos.
Timing and conditions in architectural photography are not often perfect, and access is frequently limited. For this project, the firm was granted only this particular day to photograph. Adding to the challenge, the Pacific Northwest’s unpredictable weather brought an overcast sky. Rather than seeing this as a limitation, I embraced the conditions and made the most of them..
Designing for Light and Connection
The school’s primary learning spaces wrap around a central courtyard, maximizing access to natural light and reinforcing biophilic design principles. The flexible learning studios maximize adaptability with movable furniture and multiple teaching walls. Floor-to-ceiling glazing blurs the boundary between indoors and out, allowing students to remain visually connected to their surroundings even while inside.
Natural Light as a Storytelling Element in Architecture
Soft, diffused light has a way of enhancing texture and depth, allowing natural materials—such as the whole-tree White Oak columns, sourced on-site, and exposed wood ceilings—to take center stage without distraction. Because of the soft, even lighting, I didn’t need to use strobes, which could have distracted and disturbed the students, losing the story of their natural connection with the space.
Balancing Energy and Calm: The Commons Reimagined
The commons—a reimagined approach to a traditional cafeteria—was active, yet calm. Thoughtful design choices, such as a wood-paneled ceiling to absorb sound, shaped the way students interacted with the space. Rather than orchestrating moments, I worked with the natural energy of the environment, allowing the story of the school to emerge organically through my lens.
A Vision Realized: Award-Winning Design Rooted in Sustainability and Place
In the end, the images captured not just a building but a philosophy—one of sustainability, flexibility, and deep connection to place. The project has since been honored with top industry awards, including the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) Education Facility Design Award, the WoodWorks National Design Award for Wood in Architecture, and the AIA Oregon Architecture Awards’ Citation Award for Integration, further solidifying its impact in the architectural community. This project, which prioritizes biophilic design and energy efficiency, has since garnered international recognition, reinforcing the power of design that speaks for itself. Just as the architecture adapts to its environment and user needs, so too did the photography—embracing the given conditions to capture the true essence of the space.
Flash Facts
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Location: Lake Oswego, Oregon
Size: 141,000 sq. ft.
Construction Type: Type V-B
Completion Year: 2020
Sustainability: Energy Trust of Oregon Path to Net Zero Program
Seismic Resilience: Designed to Seismic Category IV standards, serving as a community emergency shelter
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Biophilic Design: Whole-tree White Oak columns and extensive glazing for daylighting
Flexible Learning Studios: Classrooms arranged around a central courtyard to maximize light and adaptability
Commons & Acoustics: Wood ceiling enhances sound control and creates a comfortable gathering space
Energy Efficiency: 70% reduction in energy use compared to baseline middle schools
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Energy Trust of Oregon Path to Net Zero: The school is designed to meet stringent energy performance standards, reducing environmental impact.
High-Performance Building Envelope: Optimized insulation and passive cooling reduce heating and cooling demands.
Reduced Energy Consumption: Achieves a 70% reduction in energy use compared to baseline middle schools.
Locally Sourced Materials: White Oak whole-tree columns, harvested from the site, reinforce sustainability goals.
Stormwater Management: Stormwater is managed on-site to reduce runoff and protect local ecosystems.
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Classroom Innovation: Learning studios are equipped with mobile technology, multiple teaching walls, and adaptable furniture to support a variety of learning styles.
Outdoor Integration: The central courtyard serves as an extension of the learning environment, providing outdoor seating and additional teaching spaces.
Energy Savings: The building’s high-performance envelope and passive cooling strategies contribute to an estimated $400,000 in annual energy savings.
Community Shelter: Designed to Seismic Category IV standards, the school doubles as an emergency shelter for the community.
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Architect: Mahlum Architects
Owner: Lake Oswego School District
General Contractor: Skanska
Structural Engineer: KPFF
Civil Engineer: Harper Houf Peterson Righellis (HHPR)
MEP, Fire Protection, Technology Engineer: PAE Consulting Engineers
Landscape Architect: Mayer/Reed
Envelope Consultant: Morrison Hershfield
Acoustics & Security Consultant: Stantec
Lighting Design: Biella Lighting Design
Theater Consultant: PLA Designs
Audio Visual & Elevator Consultant: The Greenbusch Group
Transportation Engineer: Kittelson & Associates
Food Service Consultant: Halliday Associates
Photography: Arthur “Art” Ross -
AIA Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE), Education Facility Design Award (2024) | WoodWorks National Design Awards, Wood in Architecture Award (2024) | AIA Oregon Architecture Awards, Citation Award - Integration (2023) | IIDA Oregon Chapter Design Excellence Awards, Sustainability Award (2023) | IIDA Oregon Chapter Design Excellence Awards, Best in Education Category (2023) | A4LE LEsolutions Awards, New School Award (2023) | A4LE Pacific Northwest Region Chapter, Award of Distinction (2023) | IIDA Northern Pacific Chapter INawards, Best of Category, INeducation (2022) | Oregon DJC Top Projects, Primary Education (>$50M), Second Place (2022)
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Light shapes space, vision shapes story.
