PROJECT Van Ness Elementary School
ARCHITECT ISTUDIO Architects
LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  6/1/2022
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Rick Schneider, FAIA; Vivek Sarma, AIA; Daniel Blair, AIA; Sara Al Khatib
OWNER/CLIENT District of Columbia, Department of General Services
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Broughton Construction
PHOTOGRAPHER  Kristopher Ilich; ISTUDIO Architects
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER A. Morton Thomas & Associates
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Engineers
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Global Engineering Solutions
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Global Engineering Solutions
CONSULTANT Plumbing Engineer - Global Engineering Solutions
CONSULTANT Technology Consultant - Educational Systems Planning
CONSULTANT Geotechnical + Environmental Services - ECS Capitol Services, PLLC
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
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.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

A tasteful addition that boasts beautifully connected and engaging outdoor spaces. This project excels in breathing new life into an existing campus in a refreshing way. Additions of this sort often prove challenging. This school succeeds by clearly announcing the new while paying homage to the old with sympathetic geometries and a warm material palette.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Van Ness Elementary School | Kris Ilich Photography
2. Van Ness Elementary School Courtyard | Kris Ilich Photography
3. Van Ness Elementary School Annex | ISTUDIO Architects
4. Kids Playing at Van Ness Elementary School | Kris Ilich Photography
5. Van Ness Elementary School Addition Profile | Kris Ilich Photography
6. Street View | Kris Ilich Photography
7. Rooftop Curriculm Gardens | ISTUDIO Architects
8. Transparency of Addition at Van Ness Elementary School | Kris Ilich Photography