DC Prep/Nia Community Public Charter School, Benning Charter School Renovation

Washington, District of Columbia

Firm

Cooper Carry

Client

Building Hope

Area

70,000 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$2,900,000

Completion Date

09/2008

With only 40 days and a rundown school building, the designers transformed a 1970s-era “school without walls” building into an inspirational learning environment for two fledgling charter schools in a neglected neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

From the cavernous spaces of the 70,000-square-foot facility, designers gutted the space and created classrooms, a library, reception area and administrative spaces for each school.

This entire project was designed and constructed within a 40-day window during summer 2008. The owner, Building Hope, and the design team met at the beginning of this fast-track project for a whirlwind charrette.

The team worked closely to meet the $2.9 million budget, which included a complete roof replacement. Designers used inexpensive materials such as gypsum board for the structural forms, and vinyl tile for a vibrant floor pattern that minimizes the corridors’ visual length. The corridor walls are angled to form unexpected spaces.

Whimsical cutouts in the library walls echo round ceiling discs above. Bright accent colors in turquoise, tangerine and kiwi green highlight these circular shapes in the walls. The team innovatively used clerestory windows and full-height sidelights to mask the absence of daylight in the windowless building.