Francis L. Cardozo Education Campus

Washington, D.C.

client

District of Columbia Public Schools

size

347,000 sf; 1,100 students

certification

LEED Gold

type

Renovation + Addition

stats

90% Building Reuse

partner

Hartman-Cox Architects

Sitting high on a prominent hill overlooking the District below, Francis L Cardozo Education Campus began life in 1916 as Central High School. This historic landmark has long been referred to as the “beacon on the hill”. After 100 years, the building’s monumental exterior and aging interiors were in need of restoration and reimagining to provide next generation learning environments and reinvigorate school pride and identity.

Visioning sessions held with stakeholders identified the project’s core priorities: Next-Generation learning, inviting public spaces, a regulation gymnasium and improved horizontal and vertical circulation across the sprawling, 7-story facility.

Modernized classrooms provide much needed project-based learning spaces. Undersized CTE learning academies for construction, aviation and transportation were expanded and enhanced with flexible classroom and laboratory space. Performing Arts programs, previously located in the middle of academic classrooms, were relocated to the former gymnasium, providing direct access to the auditorium and acoustically isolating them from classroom spaces.