D.C. Elementary School Achieves Double Platinum Certification

John Lewis Elementary School in Washington, D.C., recently became the first school in the award to be awarded both WELL and LEED certifications at the platinum level, according to a news release. As part of a three-step sustainability approach, the school is also aiming to become the first school in D.C. to achieve Net Zero Energy (NZE). The facility was designed by architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman DC.

The news release reports that the facility was designed to emphasize civic presence, community connectivity, the student experience, and student wellness.

“From the very beginning, the district wanted this project to establish a new benchmark for our ongoing investment in school facilities, with the aim of enhancing community sustainability and resilience—and fostering health and well-being among the students and teachers who use the building every day. Achieving ‘Double Platinum’ at John Lewis Elementary School celebrates the collaborative commitment involved in realizing this inspiring vision that will enable DC’s students and communities to thrive,” said Sean O’Donnell, FAIA, Perkins Eastman DC’s K12 Practice leader.

The WELL Platinum distinction came through the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) WELL Building Standard. The LEED v4 Platinum distinction was awarded in March 2024 via the U.S. Green Buildings Council’s LEED for Building Design and Construction: School rating, according to the news release.

“DC Public Schools is dedicated to providing sustainable learning environments in which the district’s students can thrive,” said Shilpa Khatri, Deputy Chief of DCPS Facilities & School Planning. “In partnership with PEDC and DGS, we are excited that we were able to leverage John Lewis Elementary School’s unique site conditions and new construction opportunities to pilot a robust model of WELL certification, Net Zero design, and LEED certification. Our planning and design experience embodies ‘building as pedagogy,’ truly emphasizing the educational value in facilities and ensuring paths for long-term maintenance and durability,” said Khatri.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Rice University to Build New Student Life Complex

    Rice University in Houston, Texas, recently announced that a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Moody Center Complex for Student Life (MCCSL) will take place on May 8, 2025, according to a university news release. The 75,000-square-foot facility was designed by architecture firm Olson Kundig with Page serving as executive architect, and it has an estimated completion date of fall 2027.

  • Boosting Student Wellness and Safety Through Indoor-Outdoor School Spaces

    Engaging students through facilities designed for indoor and outdoor learning and activities reflects a growing awareness of how children learn and thrive, with educators recognizing the importance of getting outside and disconnecting from technology. And, as today’s youth grapple with the urgent mental health crisis of increased anxiety and loneliness fueled by both the pandemic and technology, along with a related crisis in youth physical health, the wellness benefits of getting outside have never been so palpable.

  • Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. Thomas F. Frist, Jr. College of Medicine has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.

  • Active Learning Classroom

    Striking a Balance: The Keys to Renovating Science Education Buildings for the 21st Century

    The recent renovation of the Durham Science Center at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) provides a roadmap for facilities managers tasked with balancing budget constraints, modern pedagogical demands, and long-term sustainability.

Digital Edition