Garrison Elementary School

Design Team
Newman Architects (Joint Venture); DC Department of General Services, DC Public Schools (Client); A2 Services (Commissioning Agent); GCS Inc. (General Contractor); Silman (Structural Engineer); Global Engineering Solutions (MEP/FP); ESP (IT, AV, and Security); Polysonics (Acoustical Consultant); Wiles Mensch (Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor); Landscape Architecture Bureau (Landscape Architect); ECS (Environmental Consultant and Geotechnical Engineer); Greenshape (LEED Consultant); TCT Cost Consultant (Cost Estimator); After Architecture (designed portals); Davis McCarty (designed spire); Valerie Theberge (designed mosaic benches); Vinnie Bagwell (designed portal relief sculptures); Luis Peralta (designed entry mural)

BELL Architects teamed with Newman Architects to modernize Garrison Elementary School in Washington, D.C. The project entailed a full modernization of the 61,000-square-foot building with an addition and extensive improvements to the 3.67-acre brownfield site.

The modernization enlarged classrooms to accommodate 30 students, enabling teachers to organize spaces for a range of approaches and providing flexibility for small breakout areas. Operable windows, daylight harvesting, and views enhance the students’ and teachers’ wellness.

An exterior urban oasis of native plants, a bioretention garden, and wooden stools harvested from dead street trees create opportunities to use outdoor spaces as classrooms. Art scattered throughout the grounds engages visitors, and interior murals enliven transitional spaces and offer colorful inspiration of historical narratives.

The complex now provides a warm and welcoming environment to nurture, support and inspire students in a city where the majority of the students come from disadvantaged households with economic circumstances that might hinder their ability to learn.
The project has achieved LEED Gold accreditation.

Additional Information

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