Add as a preferred source on Google

D.C. Elementary School Achieves Double Platinum Certification

  • By Matt Jones
  • 05/07/24

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

  • Three U.S. Universities Install Acre Security Access Control Platform

    Cloud-native physical and digital security solutions company Acre Security recently announced that it has deployed its access control platform at three major universities in the U.S., according to a news release. Acre partnered with Atrium Campus to provide coverage for more than 69,000 students at the University of Virginia (UVA), George Mason University, and Rockhurst University.

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

  • South Texas K–12 District Debuts Region’s First Electric Bus Fleet

    The Valley View Independent School District in Pharr, Texas, recently announced a partnership with Highland Electric Fleets to launch the district’s—and the region’s—first fleet of all-electric school buses, according to a news release.

  • Malibu High School Campus Completes $102M Phase 1 of Construction

    Malibu High School in Malibu, Calif., recently announced that it has completed phase 1 of construction for its new campus, a news release reports. The first phase consisted of developing and modernizing the site of a former elementary school into a new, 70,000-square-foot, two-story facility.

Digital Edition