Garfield Elementary School Modernization
STUDIOS Architecture
DC Public Schools | Washington, DC | Status: Under Construction (Completion: 2024)
Typology: Education, K-5
Size: 76,000 SF
Team: Amanda Wright, Brian Pilot, Cameo Roerich, Hiroshi Jacobs, Rory Harper, Xavier Leonard King, Zoey Cyphers
Software: Revit, Enscape, NewForma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
Sitting at the center of the Buena Vista neighborhood in Southeast DC, Garfield Elementary School stitches together a historic wing built in 1910 by William S. Pittman (one of DC’s first black architects), a 1955 modernist wing, and a new addition. The school revitalizes the interiors while providing an active and playful exterior for the community, while respecting the 1910 building form.
Work Preformed: Concept/Schematic Design, Consultant Coordination, Interior Architecture, Presentation Production, Spaceplanning
Project Development and Documentation
Rendering of school entrance, joining the historic wing with the new wing.
View from Alabama Avenue, emphasizing the preservation of the old wing of the 19010 school building.
Rendering of the school's east courtyard and playground. White brick unifies the two wings and pops of color add a playful element to the school's façade.
Detailing of the new wing's facade.
Rendering of the school's playground. The new volume restores the 1950's wing (left) while carrying the new language of the new wing (right).
Conceptual site plan.
Two existing wings are bridged with a "vertical connector" while the new wing branches off of the 1950's wing. Special attention was paid to not overwhelming the historic 1910 building.
Glazing and circulation connect the school's lower court with the playground area.
The school's gym is elevated to match the height of the old school creating balance.
Distinct material treatments are applied to the upper volume and the connector to crate a visual hierarchy.
The volumes are articulated with strategic setbacks and openings. The gym is egressed through an exterior stair hidden by the perforated brick facade.
Basement Level - Floor Plan
First Level - Floor Plan
Second Level - Floor Plan
North Elevation
East Elevation
South Elevation
South Elevation
Rendering of school entrance, joining the historic wing with the new wing.
View from Alabama Avenue, emphasizing the preservation of the old wing of the 19010 school building.
Rendering of the school's east courtyard and playground. White brick unifies the two wings and pops of color add a playful element to the school's façade.
Detailing of the new wing's facade.
Rendering of the school's playground. The new volume restores the 1950's wing (left) while carrying the new language of the new wing (right).
Conceptual site plan.
Two existing wings are bridged with a "vertical connector" while the new wing branches off of the 1950's wing. Special attention was paid to not overwhelming the historic 1910 building.
Glazing and circulation connect the school's lower court with the playground area.
The school's gym is elevated to match the height of the old school creating balance.
Distinct material treatments are applied to the upper volume and the connector to crate a visual hierarchy.
The volumes are articulated with strategic setbacks and openings. The gym is egressed through an exterior stair hidden by the perforated brick facade.
Basement Level - Floor Plan
First Level - Floor Plan
Second Level - Floor Plan
North Elevation
East Elevation
South Elevation
South Elevation