Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Modernized Community School Reopens as High-Performance, Sustainable

  • 08/28/17

Watkins ElementaryPerkins Eastman DC joined the Office of the Mayor, District Department of General Services (DGS), District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS), faculty, students, and the community on Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of the modernized Watkins Elementary School in Washington, DC. Perkins Eastman DC transformed the existing building into a high-performance, 21st-century learning environment serving students in grades 1-5. Watkins is part of the Capitol Hill Cluster, a unique PK-8 that is located in three buildings in the Capital Hill neighborhood.

Sean O’Donnell AIA, LEED AP, Perkins Eastman DC’s Principal-in-Charge, says: “Perkins Eastman DC’s design for the Watkins modernization breathes new life into the existing building, provides much-needed new program space, and connects the school to the community. Through dramatic transformation of the interior plan, creation of a civic presence along Pennsylvania Avenue, connecting the school to the park behind, and incorporation of high-performance design strategies at every opportunity, Watkins Elementary is now a fitting learning environment for students, community, and larger Washington, DC.”

The modernization dramatically transforms the interior of this 1960s-era building through a single-loaded configuration, providing ample daylight and views to the recreation fields. Classrooms—now 35% larger compared to classrooms in the previous double-loaded configuration—are proportioned to accommodate multiple teaching modes and have brightly colored entrance “porches” off the corridor. Shared “commons” spaces feature playful furniture that can be arranged in many configurations for breakout learning and group activities outside the classroom. A FoodPrints outdoor classroom and garden ensure meaningful opportunities for Watkins’ students — and the community in after-hours—to have hands-on, high-quality gardening and cooking experiences and new ways to engage with academic content.

The addition is dramatic inside and out, and increases the lobby and gym/cafeteria by almost double to their previous condition, enhancing their flexibility and creating more opportunities for parent gathering. With large windows and views, the addition connects the school to the park and creates a new civic presence for the school at the front door on 12th Street.

Watkins is currently pending LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

For more information, visit perkinseastman-dc.com.

Featured

  • Moline-Coal Valley School District to Consolidate Two Schools into New Facility

    The Moline-Coal Valley School District in Moline, Ill., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff from two existing schools, according to local news. Robert Ontiveros Elementary School will serve as the new home for Lincoln-Irving Elementary School and Willard Elementary School.

  • Cal Poly Humboldt Starts Construction on Healthcare Education Hub

    California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in Arcata, Calif., recently announced that work has begun on a renovation project that will turn the Stewart Building into a new Healthcare Education Hub, according to a news release. The university is partnering with Sundt Construction Inc. for construction services.

  • Chartwells Launches Campus Dining Evaluation Framework

    Contract food-service management provider Chartwells Higher Education recently announced the launch of BLUEPRINT, according to a news release. The evaluation framework was designed to provide a data-driven and customizable roadmap towards optimizing campus dining services and, by extension, the student experience.

  • UT System Approves First Funds for New Campus

    The University of Texas System Board of Regents recently approved funds to build the first facility of a new campus in far west Fort Worth, Texas, according to university news. UTA West will serve as a branch of the University of Texas at Arlington and is scheduled to open in fall 2028.