FRANCIS L. CARDOZO HIGH SCHOOL 1200 CLIFTON STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20009
FRANCIS L. CARDOZO HIGH SCHOOL SCHOOL HISTORY Francis L. Cardozo High School, located at 1200 Clifton Street and bounded by Florida Avenue, 11th and 13th Streets in Northwest Washington, DC, sits prominently on a terraced hillside overlooking the City of Washington and the Potomac River valley to the south. A source of pride for students, alumni and the community, Francis L. Cardozo High School is the longest continuously operating public high school in Washington, DC and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 for its cultural and architectural significance. Completed in 1916 and originally named Central High, the venerable structure was designed by nationally recognized school architect, William B. Ittner of St. Louis, and represented the very best in architectural and educational excellence in the United States. An example of progressive design for its time, the program expanded the predominant 19th century schoolhouse model to include the sciences, mechanical and fine arts, domestic science, and physical education. The building has undergone limited building improvement projects over the years but is in need of a full scale restoration, rehabilitation and repurposing for the 21st century learning environment. The modernization project has brought the building back to life and re-establish Cardozo as a model for excellence in school design while preserving its rich architectural and cultural heritage.
PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Provide a new modern school in a fully renovated historic school building that support the educational needs of students and faculty Return a historically significant building back to its monumental distinction Incorporate energy efficient elements including mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems upgrades Achieve a minimum of LEED Gold for Schools rating (certification pending) Provide a 47,000 sf regulation gymnasium addition while maintaining the character of the monumental building on the hill, preserving the hillside terraces, and providing a presence without competing with the general form of the existing building Include educational technological advancments: data projectors, interactive white boards, classroom sound systems, and student-focused learning environments including computer labs and flexible learning spaces Convert forgotten exterior courtyards into enclosed atria as spectacular spaces for student activities Engage the community by providing renewed access to the auditorium and swimming pool Meet DCPS 21st Century standards for 1200 daytime students and up to 900 part time evening students Maintain the distinction of a showplace for the Washington public school system
3 2 1 4 AERIAL SITE PLAN: 1. Existing Building 2. Site for New Gym Addition 3. New Playground 4. Restored terrace landscape N
The Cardozo Education Campus is a brilliant state-of-theart facility which gives our students the opportunity to learn in an environment designed to help them one day compete on the global state. This modernization project is also one that has focused on restoring Cardozo s historic elegance, which dates back 100 years. - Mayor Vincent C. Gray Washington, DC
decorative limestone entrance raised one story to serve new parking lot new gymnasium addition tucked into hillside below parking lot
new gymnasium addition tucked into hillside below parking lot VIEW FROM THE NORTH WEST new gymnasium addition entrance GYMNASIUM ADDITION WEST ELEVATION WITH EXISTING BUILDING BEYOND VIEW FROM THE SOUTH WEST
new gymnasium set off by precast stone elements existing historic building existing gymnasiums stacked and clad by limestone
NEW GYMNASIUM ADDITION ENTRANCE
new gymnasium addition beyond decorative mosaic tiles restored east terrace landscape
restored east terrace landscape 2 1 BUILDING FACADE & DECORATIVE ELEMENTS Constructed of red brick with limestone trim, the building features a variety of decorative elements including a large frieze panel above the primary entrance (1) which includes likenesses of the architect, the DC Municipal Architect, Snowden Ashford, the principal Emory Wilson and other notable people from the early 20th century. Decorative mosaic tile work on the interior and exterior of the building illustrates various trades and professions (2). The building façade has been rehabilitated through a combination of general cleaning, patching and repointing, minor structural repairs, replacement of significantly deteriorated or missing elements, replacing skylights and replacing non-historic windows.
NEW FRONT TERRACE AND ADA COMPLIANT ENTRANCE
MAIN ENTRANCE In order to meet accessibility and security requirements, the main entrance portico and plaza has been reconfigured to inconspicuously incorporate a ramp system, bike racks, railings and lighting. The open-air portico, featuring beautiful Guastavino tiled vaults, has been enclosed with historically detailed glass entrances to capture the area needed for queuing space. The entry sequence combines offices for security, Metro police, access to main office and ADA elevator that serves all levels, security screening devices while maintaining the ceremonial quality of the original space. ORIGINALLY OPEN-AIR PORTICO ENCLOSED AND CONVERTED INTO SECURITY AREA
FLOOR PLANS 15 1 1 1 5 6 5 7 3 2 4 SUB BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN GROUND FLOOR PLAN BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN 9 10 8 12 15 10 13 14 15 13 15 13 11 FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. New gymnasium Existing pool restored New gymnasium entrance Existing basketball court converted into classroom space Restored and enclosed atria THIRD FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR PLAN 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Newly accessible cafeteria Enlarged kitchen New parking lot on top of gymnasium addition Newly accessible and enclosed main entrance New monumental central stair 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. Existing basketball courts converted into performing arts spaces Existing library restored and expanded with a new Media Center Restored auditorium New third floor lecture classroom New ADA elevator serving all academic levels
A B 1. New gymnasium addition 2. Existing pool restored 3. Exterior courtyards converted to enclosed atria 4. Existing small gymnasium converted into classroom space 5. Newly accessible cafeteria 6. Enlarged kitchen 7. Newly accessible and enclosed main entrance 8. New monumental central stair 9. Existing small gymnasium converted into performing arts spaces 10. Existing library restored and expanded with new Media Center 11. Restored auditorium 12. New third floor lecture classroom 13. Existing walkway behind stadium bleachers 13 2 9 4 6 11 5 8 12 10 7 NORTH-SOUTH BUILDING SECTION A 11 3 3 1 4 EAST-WEST BUILDING SECTION B
MONUMENTAL CENTER STAIR As the building was originally intended to provide separate facilities for male and female students, it was intentionally designed without a centralized common vertical circulation system (i.e. the stairs were relegated to the corners of the large building footprint). The project incorporates a new central monumental stair directly adjacent to the main entrance to improve wayfinding and establish a clear circulation path throughout the building. The stair connects all academic floors and is open on all levels. A large collage graphic is installed at the rear wall of the stair featuring a portrait of the founder and namesake of the school and images of the school and student body dating from the opening of Central High throughout the history of Cardozo. NEW CENTRAL MONUMENTAL STAIR
REFURBISHED AND IMPROVED CIRCULATION THROUGH OUT THE BUILDING
ATRIA Two existing underutilized exterior courtyards were enclosed with skylights and turned into vibrant sunfilled student activity spaces. The sky lit courts feature overflow seating for the cafeteria dining, study and work areas. Lounge spaces can be used for performances and after hours activities. Both atria have raised entrances that can be used as stages for impromptu performances or presentations and are fully equipped with AV and IT connections for music, video or other types of presentations and events. Both atria also feature original graphic artwork celebrating the multicultural makeup of the student body. TWO PREVIOUSLY UNUSED EXTERIOR COURTYARDS CONVERTED INTO ENCLOSED ATRIA
AUDITORIUM The historic auditorium was fully renovated and restored to its original glory. The design incorporates theater lighting and acoustics, life safety components, and accessibility alterations. The theater is the largest in the neighborhood and is once again a community resource for events. NEWLY RENOVATED AND RESTORED AUDITORIUM
NEWLY RENOVATED AND EXPANDED MEDIA CENTER AND LIBRARY LIBRARY The historic library was renovated and expanded to become the new Media Center/Library with state of the art technology and abundant natural light. The renovation included preserving the historic plaster mouldings, decorative beams and the existing limestone fireplace and mantel. New seating and study areas, a library science classroom area, and numerous computer workstations were added to the space.
HISTORIC MUSIC ROOM CONVERTED TO STATE-OF-THE-ART LECTURE CLASSROOM THIRD FLOOR LECTURE CLASSROOM The historic music room was restored to a state of the art lecture classroom. Work included the restoration of the decorative plaster ceiling, the installation of stained wood paneled walls to replicate the original historic paneling and the replication of the ornate stained wood millwork blackboard surround to accommodate several white boards, tack boards and a projection screen.
SPECIALIZED CLASSROOM SPACES SUPPORTING THE VARIETY OF STUDENT PROGRAMS CLASSROOMS The renovated facility includes 37 classroom spaces, 13 science and bio-technology labs, 15 classrooms for specialized education, multiple group activity learning spaces, 6 dedicated spaces for visual and performing arts, a green house, a culinary arts exhibition style kitchen with classroom space, computer labs, and numerous specialized spaces to support the school s various student programs.
EXISTING BASKETBALL COURT CONVERTED INTO PERFORMING ARTS SPACE
PREVIOUSLY UNUSED SWIMMING POOL RENOVATED AND RESTORED FOR STUDENT AND COMMUNITY USE
NEW GYMNASIUM A new regulation competition gymnasium was added to the west side of the school, which features a state of the art fitness center, aerobics and dance studio, activity room, training room, and health classrooms. The gym was intentionally designed to be recessed into the hillside in order to: 1. preserve the view to the city s historic core, 2. maintain faculty and staff parking, and 3. preserve the monumental form of the existing building 4. host basketball games for the first time in school history
NEW GYMNASIUM ADDITION ADDITION 2 EXISTING EXISTING ADDITION EXISTING ADDITION EXISTING 2 1 2 4 3 ADDITION 3 1 1 3 2 1 4 SUB BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN BASEMENT FLOOR PLAN GROUND FLOOR PLAN FIRST FLOOR PLAN 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. Gymnasium Entrance from Lower Parking Lot 2. Gymnasium - Upper Court Level 3. Stairs down to Basketball Court Level 4. Track and Field 1. Basketball Court below 2. Gymnasium Entrance below 1. Parking on top of Gymnasium Addition Gymnasium - Basketball Court Level Fitness Room Locker Room Concession Stand PARKING LOT HEALTH CLASSROOM ENTRANCE & CONCESSIONS PARKING LOT FITNESS ROOM GYMNASIUM LOCKER ROOMS NORTH - SOUTH SECTION
NEW GYMNASIUM ADDITION ENTRANCE FROM THE SOUTH
FRANCIS L. CARDOZO HIGH SCHOOL 1200 CLIFTON STREET NW WASHINGTON, DC 20009