Selah Middle School draws inspiration from the natural geography and agricultural industry of the Yakima River Valley. “Box” shaped portions of the building are reminiscent of stacked apple crates paying homage to the prevalence of the apple industry and orchards in the Selah community and economy. Metal panel emulates the crate color and texture, highlighting feature spaces within the building such as the commons, gymnasium, music and library. Contrasting brick and ground-face concrete block masonry, responding to the columnar basalt cliffs and outcroppings in the Yakima River valley, will be utilized at strategic locations throughout the building providing a tactile, durable finish and a timeless connection to traditional education facility aesthetics.