2009 Exhibition of School
Planning and Architecture
British School of Washington
Washington, D.C.
Project of Distinction
Other – Private School Pre-K/12
Davis, Carter, Scott Ltd
“BSW”
Community Environment:
Entering the new British School of Washington in
Georgetown is an entrance into a vibrant world of
learning, play, friendship and the integration of
several world ethnicities. With over 20 cultures
represented within the school, the 75,000 square foot
Nursery through Year 13 school is a wondrous place
for academic education and lessons in cultural
understanding and tolerance.
This inclusive
philosophy greets each student, teacher, parent, and
visitor as they enter the school through a “Welcome”
sign printed in each language represented by the
school’s 360 students.
Opening their doors in September 1998, The British
School of Washington was the first of five British
Schools of America. The school was initially opened
to provide an alternative mode of education for
British citizens living in the D.C. area, but their
different style of instruction and atypical curriculum
proved to be popular, and thus attracted other
families in the Washington Metropolitan area.
The school’s popularity forced BSW to look for new
space for their growing program. In late 2006, BSW
engaged the Architect to assist with test-fitting them
in various spaces. Ultimately BSW selected the
Georgetown site, a dynamic and close-knit
neighborhood, one that has embraced the children,
teachers, and staff. Georgetown in turn benefits, as
the private school shares its passion for education and
their multi-cultural family with the community.
Entrance into the school featuring metal trophy
casing designed to differentiate lobby area; British
School of Washington crest incorporated into floor
design; colorful hanging acrylic resin panels; and
the BSW mural in background.
“Innovation & Design”
Learning Environment :
British School of Washington utilizes the unique international
experiences their students have gained and incorporate that
knowledge into lessons and ultimately the design of the space.
BSW prides itself in preparing students to be responsible global
citizens by giving them the education and the surroundings they
need to be acclimated to the ever-changing world. Throughout the
design process a unique learning environment was always the end
goal.
Other Unique Areas and Features
One particularly unique area is the corridor leading to the music
room, where concerts and other performances are held. Davis
Carter Scott designed the corridor to include illuminated, hanging
ceiling panels featuring six different musical instruments. The
images are imbedded in a ceiling trough. A soft seating area is
positioned to the left of the corridor to break up the long, linear
space and to also serve as a place for parents and visitors to wait to
enter the music room. Additionally, a full-length, Xorel, floor-toceiling, pin-up wall was created for children to hang their artwork
and other assignments. Two small stages were also created for the
multi-purpose room and nursery to promote imaginative play and
performing.
•
The second floor of the school is primarily utilized by the Junior
High and High School students, and features many unique areas
including:
•
A representation of an indoor track which runs the total area of
the second floor. A fitness center is also included on this floor.
Corridor leading to the Music Room. The space features illuminated,
hanging ceiling panels featuring six different musical instruments; a
soft seating area; and a full-length, Xorel, floor-to-ceiling pin-up wall.
“Exploration & Construction”
Learning Environment –
•
The IB (International Baccalaureate) Form Room specifically
dedicated for upper level students as “their space.” The room
is multi-functional and can be used as a social venue, or a place
to study. Each student is given a carrel they can personalize
which includes tabletop technology for laptop plug-in.
Audio/visual technology is also incorporated.
•
The Design Technology Lab – a unique instructional space
specific to the UK curriculum – is identified with the words
“Design”, “Construct”, “Explore” and “Invent” running the
length of the corridor leading to the room. The lab and
classroom area is utilized for the production of various
marketable products in plastics, metals and woodworking.
•
A seating area featuring a large mural of the map of the world,
created as a mirror image in red and white. A large continuous
seating bench was designed under the mural for students to
read, work, or socialize.
Corridor leading to Design Technology Laboratory. The lab
and classroom area is utilized for the production of various
marketable products in plastics, metals and woodworking.
“Play”
Physical Environment:
The Effect of Color on Learning
According to a 2006 article on the effects of color on learning in children:
“Color elicits a total response from children because it affects body
functions and influences their minds and emotions. The choice of color
used in schools can either enhance or impair learning, morale and
behaviors. Studies have shown that color affects a student’s attention
span and perception of time, and can reduce absenteeism.”¹
Davis Carter Scott utilized color as the foundation of the design of the
British School of Washington. Beginning with the entryway and reception
area, color is used to inspire, invigorate, educate and even indicate
location within the school. Blocks of primary and secondary colors are
utilized in the design of the floors, walls, and ceilings of the nursery and
Pre-K areas. In the nursery, colorful rectangles, circles and triangles are
designed into the floor, and then replicated through hanging acrylic, resin
ceiling panels. The entire Pre-K corridor is designed in bright, eye-popping
colors, and features three-dimensional bump-out and cut-out drywall
shapes with in-set translucent resin panels.
“Play”, “Read”, “Create”, “Study”
These words are used to visually identify the common areas of the library,
art room, playroom, and the IB Form Room -- a unique space dedicated
exclusively for upper level students where they can study and socialize.
Substituting traditional room signage for single word identification, the
designers creatively incorporated language into the total design of the
individual areas.
Corridor located outside of the Pre-Kindergarten Playroom.
Space features colorful three-dimensional bump-out and cutout drywall shapes with in-set translucent resin panels.
“Create”
Physical Environment:
(Continued...)
Another unique incorporation of language into the
design is the “BSW” acronym (British School of
Washington) which appears at the end of the entryway
corridor into the school. At initial glace, the large
painted letters appear to be mural signage, but upon
closer examination, viewers realize that each letter is
created by multiple words associated with the British
culture, Education, and Washington, D.C. The “B”
includes words such as “knickers”, “mate” and
“bloke”…. the “S” includes “head boy”, “whiteboard”
and “examination” …. and the “W” includes “Potomac”,
White House”, and Redskins.” The words used to
create the BSW acronym were developed through
collaboration between the designers, school leaders,
and a committee of parents. Humorously, one
particular word included in the letter “B” needed to be
removed from the mural after later discovering it had a
double meaning – not appropriate for school.
Design Has the Ability to Enhance
Within 6 months of opening its doors in January 2008,
enrollment was up by a significant 10%. And if
community interest, visitor traffic, and enthusiasm are
any indication, the school had estimated that it would
reach full enrollment capacity within 18 months.
¹Influence of the School Facility on Student
Achievement: Lighting; Color.
Jago, Elizabeth, Comp.; Tanner, Ken, Comp.
(University of Georgia; Dept. of Educational Leadership,
Athens, GA.)
Corridor leading to the Art Room.
“Function”
Planning Process:
Before beginning the design of the school, Davis Carter Scott spent
weeks conducting intense research into the UK’s standard
educational curriculum, the latest design trends for European
schools, and proven learning attributes associated with design. As a
result, the British School of Washington offers one of the most
innovative, stimulating and aesthetic learning environments in the
nation, and has become a design prototype for the future 20 British
Schools to be designed around the country.
The British School of Washington moved from its prior 30,000 SF
location on 16th Street to a new 71,000 SF location on Wisconsin
Avenue in Georgetown. The exterior shell received some small
renovation, while the interior space was demolished to allow for an
entirely new interior build out. The Architect worked with
representatives from the school to understand how BSW staff
needed the school to be configured, but also shared their research
findings and arrived at a space that functionally flowed and was at
the same time visually engaging.
The new space provided 30 classrooms, a music room with recording
studio, multipurpose room, fitness center with indoor running track,
indoor play room for children, adult and children libraries, design and
technology labs, administrative offices and separate outdoor spaces
for young adults and children.
Wayfinding through use of color is also a major planning and design
component of the space. The three-floor school is planned in
quadrants, each designated in a different color incorporated into
lockers, floors, and walls. An interconnecting stair which was added
to the existing 1959 Georgetown building also incorporates varying
colors in the stair treads to indicate location within the school.
Colored gel sleeves cover florescent lights within the stairwell, and
can be changed periodically for variance. The lights are designed in a
random, non-linear pattern which contributes to the whimsical, fun
feel of the space.
Pre-Kindergarten Playroom featuring
stage area to encourage imaginative
play and performing.
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
2008 Project Data
Submitting Firm :
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Davis, Carter, Scott Ltd
Interior Architect
Lena I. Scott
Principal-in-Charge
1676 International Drive, Ste. 500
McLean, Virginia 22102
703.556.9275
Joint Partner Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
Other Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
AKF Engineers
M/E/P Engineer
Waldemar Mielczarek
Engineer
1655 North Fort Myer Drive, Ste. 950
Arlington, Virginia 22209
703.351.7686
Construction Firm:
Project Role
Project Contact
Title
Address
City, State or Province, Country
Phone
James G. Davis Construction
General Contractor
John Lawless
Project Manager
12530 Parklawn Drive, Ste. 100
Rockville, Maryland 20852
301.881.2990
Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture
2008 Project Details
Project Name
The British School of Washington
City
Washington
State
D.C.
District Name
n/a
Supt/President
n/a
Occupancy Date
January 2008
Grades Housed
Nursery – 13 (British model of Education)
Capacity(Students)
360 students (approximately)
Site Size (acres)
n/a
Gross Area (sq. ft.)
71,000 GSF
Per Occupant(pupil)
197 GSF
gross/net please indicate
Design and Build?
Yes
If yes, Total Cost:
$63.88
Includes:
Hard cost for construction only
If no,
Site Development:
Building Construction:
Fixed Equipment:
Other:
Total:
Supporting/Supplemental
Files/Images
Nursery featuring colorful rectangles, circles, and triangles designed into the floor and replicated in hanging acrylic resin ceiling panels.
Supporting/Supplemental
Files/Images
Seating area in corridor featuring mirror-image world maps.
Supporting/Supplemental
Files/Images
Corridor located outside of the Library.
Supporting/Supplemental
Files/Images
Three-story, interconnecting metal stair which was added
to the existing building. Different color stair treads serve
as a wayfinding tool. Colored gel sleeves cover florescent
ceiling lights, and can be changed periodically for variance.
Lights are designed in a random, non-linear pattern which
contributes to the whimsical, fun feel of the space.
Supporting/Supplemental
Files/Images
Multi-Purpose Room which serves as a lunch room, gymnasium, and stage area for performances.