Woodrow Wilson High SchoolWashington, D.C.

Projects in the Design PhaseDesign Concept Award

cox graae + spack architects with Fanning Howey

2009 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

Woodrow Wilson High School

2009 Site2009 Site

2011 Site2011 Site

Building a Better NeighborCommunity Environment: The restoration of Woodrow Wilson High School will take a beloved community building into the 21st century.

RestorationHistoric preservation efforts will focus on adaptive reuse of the 1930s structures, as well as restoring existing brick, woodwork, interior slate, and terrazzo flooring.

The Jewel of Ward 3The original 1930s design was conceived as jewels on a necklace. The new design concept respects this theme by preserving the existing configuration and curved circulation arcade.

Community AccessThe design establishes one primary/student entrance and three community entrances. The primary/student entrance leads visitors in to the large “crossroads” atrium. The community entrances provide after-hours access to the Athletic Center, Main Atrium, Cafeteria/Commons, and Visual + Performing Arts Center. Primary/Student EntrancePrimary/Student Entrance

Access PointsAccess Points

A New Take on an Old Tradition Community Environment: Woodrow Wilson High School has a history of serving the community; however, over the decades the change in academic configuration has caused the public-use space to be poorly arranged. The design uses renovations to create the following community facilities:

Athletic Center• Located next to the newly built natatorium• Renovated auditorium serves as

new gymnasium• New auxiliary gymnasium with

showers/lockers for residents

Visual + Performing Arts Center• Renovated media center and gym serve as

Performing Arts space • Includes dedicated lobby and arts terrace• Acts as community theatre

Cafeteria/Commons• Available for public meetings and as a surge

space for after-school events

Athletic CenterAthletic Center

Visual + Performing Arts CenterVisual + Performing Arts Center Cafeteria/Commons

Supporting an Academy Approach to InstructionLearning Environment:

Despite the limitations of the physical environment, Wilson has developed a highly successful academy program. The design transforms the existing core building into a series of schools-within-a-school, which will align the building program with the current curriculum.

Schools-Within-a-SchoolEach academy is designed to create a self-contained learning environment including dedicated space for academy-level administration, classrooms, science labs, resource rooms, teaming space.

Special Program AreasThe design also provides special program areas such as:

• 2,810 square feet of JROTC space

• 6,260 square feet of Career/Technical space

• 1,060 square feet of Cyber Café

Wilson At the CrossroadsLearning Environment:

A key design element is the reclamation of the basement as a functional space and ground-level entrance. This floor is now home to administrative offices, the media center, and a soaring two-story atrium dubbed “The Crossroads.”

A large skylight encloses the existing courtyard, reclaiming space for educational uses while providing the same sense of openness and connection to nature.

The media center is located next to the restored Senior Garden, which provides a secure outdoor learning environment complete with beautifully landscaped grounds, sculpture, and outdoor seating.

Section – “The Crossroads”Section – “The Crossroads”

Section – Media Center and Senior GardenSection – Media Center and Senior Garden

Greetings and GardensPhysical Environment:

As originally designed, Wilson featured a series of gracious outdoor courtyards and a dramatic main entrance oriented around a large green space. The creation of the central atrium allows the building to establish a new main entrance at the north side of the site, away from the athletic fields that have been developed over the years.

A series of large skylights respect the function and aesthetics of the original courtyards, creating a series of open, internal gardens where students can gather to collaborate and socialize. The skylights bring natural light into the center of the building. The transparency offered by the design allows students to orient themselves to familiar landmarks, including the school’s prominent tower. “The Crossroads”“The Crossroads”

Going Green Physical Environment:

While historic preservation efforts focused on Wilson’s past, design efforts sought to create a sustainable future. When completed, Wilson will achieve LEED Silver certification and will be the first school in the Metropolitan area to incorporate a displacement chilled beam system.

Other highlights include:

• 100% solar domestic hot water

• Ultra-low flow plumbing fixtures

• Rain water collection

• Photovoltaic Panels

• Replacement of 2 older electric services with 1 new480 volt service

Daylighting in Cafeteria/CommonsDaylighting in Cafeteria/Commons

Photovoltaic PanelsPhotovoltaic Panels

A Community EffortPlanning Process:

The planning and design of Wilson used a collaborative process that relied heavily on community input. During the design phase the community school improvement team will meet every week to discuss continuing design issues.

Educational SpecificationsEducational specifications were developed through the district’s internal planning department. Community input helped lead to the vision of creating schools-within-a-school to support the existing learning academies.

Academic ProgramThe development of the academic program, led by the Office of the Chancellor, included the following collaborative approaches:

• Community meetings

• Design charrettes

• Work sessionsVisual + Performing Arts LobbyVisual + Performing Arts Lobby

CampusCampus

Continued InvolvementPlanning Process:

Design Competition A design competition involving six teams led to the final conceptual solution. Community representatives made up a portion of the design jury and had significant input on each team’s solutions.

Ongoing InvolvementCommunity representatives will be involved throughout the project, including during the bi-weekly team meetings held throughout design and construction.

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Data

Submitting Firm : cox graae + spack architectsProject Role ArchitectProject Contact Christoffer Graae, AIA, LEED APTitle Principal-in-ChargeAddress 2909 M Street NWCity, State or Province, Country Washington, D.C. Phone 202.965.7070

Associate Architect: Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc. Project Role Programming/Educational DesignProject Contact Edwin R. Schmidt, AIATitle Principal Address 210 North Lee Street, Suite 208City, State or Province, Country Alexandria, VA Phone (703) 519-9822

Other Firm: Public Pathways, Inc.Project Role Educational PlannerProject Contact Deanna NewmanTitle CEOAddress 1912 Fremont Avenue SouthCity, State or Province, Country Minneapolis, MNPhone (612) 377-2154

Construction Firm:Project RoleProject ContactTitleAddressCity, State or Province, CountryPhone

Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2009 Project Details

Project Name Woodrow Wilson High School 

City Washington

State D.C.

District Name District of Columbia Public Schools

Supt/President Ms. Michelle Rhee, Chancellor

Occupancy Date July 2011 (estimated)

Grades Housed 9-12

 

Capacity (Students) 1,550

Site Size (acres)  10.34

Gross Area (sq. ft.)  325,153

Per Occupant (pupil)  209.78

gross/net please indicate  gross

 

Design and Build?  Yes

If yes, Total Cost:  $75,000,000

Includes:  all hard and soft costs

 

If no,  

Site Development:  

Building Construction:  

Fixed Equipment:  

Other:  

 

Total:  

2011: Dramatic Main Entrance2011: Dramatic Main Entrance

2009: Rear of Building2009: Rear of Building

2011: Academic Crossroads/Atrium2011: Academic Crossroads/Atrium

2009: Unused Core Space2009: Unused Core Space

2011: Auditorium and Anchor of 2011: Auditorium and Anchor of New Visual + Performing Arts CenterNew Visual + Performing Arts Center

2009: Gymnasium2009: Gymnasium

2011: Gymnasiums2011: Gymnasiums

2009: Auditorium and Steam Plant2009: Auditorium and Steam Plant

2011: Visual + Performing 2011: Visual + Performing Arts Center with Arts TerraceArts Center with Arts Terrace

2009: 1960s Gymnasium Addition2009: 1960s Gymnasium Addition