PROJECT Van Ness Elementary School

ARCHITECT ISTUDIO Architects:Rick Schneider, FAIA / Daniel Blair, AIA / Vivek Sarma, AIA / Sara Al Khatib
GENERAL CONTRACTOR Broughton Construction
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Simspon Gumpertz & Heger Engineers
CIVIL ENGINEER A Morton Thomas & Associates
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Global Engineering Solutions
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Global Engineering Solutions
PHOTOGRAPHER/RENDERER Kristopher Ilich ; ISTUDIO Architects
 

LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  6/1/2022

Van Ness Elementary School is campus that was modernized in 2016, but supports a quickly growing neighborhood. The existing 58,400 sf school required a classroom expansion
to provide 7 additional classrooms (3 ECE + 4 grade 2-5). The scope of work took place in two phases on a site with tight urban and regulatory constraints + shared program space
with DPR.
The expansion included 3 separate buildings, each with their own unique code and design challenges: a 1-story 3 classroom ECE wing + rooftop outdoor classroom added to the
existing LEED-S school; a community health care facility adapted into 4 primary classrooms; and a dilapidated historic early 20th century field house that was converted into event
space for the school, DPR, and the community.
Coordination for multiple permits included a fast track for Phase I trailers, foundation to grade for the addition, and approvals from DC HPO, CFA, DC Water, and DDOT. When
complete the project will meet or exceed current LEED-S standard and DCPS 21st century education specifications.
The historic Field House at Lincoln Playground was originally constructed in 1932 + had experienced years of deferred maintenance. Extensive structural damage had occurred due
to exposure to the elements. The small structure required a structural assessment, hazardous materials assessment + remediation, exterior masonry restoration, window + door
replacement, and roof replacement: all designed to replicate the historic character of the original construction. The envelope was enhanced to reduce air infiltration + reduce energy
consumption. Taking advantage of the historic construction techniques, the renovation’s design incorporated natural ventilation strategies by adding ventilation channels within the
ceiling at the underside of the gable roof + a continuous ridge vent. By establishing a temperature difference between the ridge vent + the interior of the space, the building will
breathe naturally.
At the Addition, the design team worked closely with DCPS + DGS to develop a plan for future expansion of the school by designing for expansion of addition to accommodate
additional floors. Design of SWM system was complicated since the 2016 project left the site in a deficit + required SRCs to be purchased. To reduce the SRC deficit, a green roof
was provided at the Addition. At the request of DCPS, the green roof was converted to a garden + outdoor garden with a steel shade structure. Landscape design incorporates rain
and pollinator gardens for outdoor education at the rooftop outdoor classroom’s planters.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF