Van Ness Elementary students immerse themselves in nature’s cycles, exploring hands-on learning in the school’s rooftop curriculum gardens. Photo by ISTUDIO Architects.
Van Ness Elementary School has officially gone green – and we’re not just talking about the curriculum gardens! The school has been honored with the AIA DC Citation Award for Designing for resources, recognizing its outstanding commitment to sustainability and innovative design that fosters student engagement with nature.
The school's expansion integrates outdoor spaces that encourage students to explore and engage with their natural surroundings. From playing on the Green adjacent to native plantings, to growing their own plants in curriculum gardens, Van Ness students interact with nature at multiple levels and locations across the site. These spaces are thoughtfully designed to promote hands-on learning and discovery, ensuring that nature plays a central role in the educational experience.
ISTUDIO worked closely with DC Public Schools (DCPS) and the Department of General Services (DGS) to design a future-ready building. The new wing of Van Ness Elementary School is designed to accommodate additional floors, supporting the future growth of the school while maintaining a focus on resource-efficient construction and operation. This award highlights Van Ness Elementary School’s role as a leader in sustainable education design, creating a space where students thrive both academically and environmentally.
"Van Ness Elementary School's expansion is an investment in the future. Doubling the capacity of the school's Pre-K program while integrating sustainable features throughout the design not only provides a engaging learning environment, but is an invaluable economic opportunity for the community," said Senior Architect Daniel Blair.
Read the feature in ArchitectureDC Annual Design Awards Issue here, on page 24.
Photo by Kristopher Ilich Productions