The building that currently houses the school and Child Development Center was built as a high school in the late 1950s. It no longer meets the modern-day needs of children and families.

During an extensive research period, the architectural firm of A Complete Unknown talked with school and child development center administrators, facilities staff, teachers and counselors about their vision for the school.

“A great building is not just created by the efforts of the architect and engineers but by the dedication and encouragement that comes from the client,” said Suman Song, founder of A Complete Unknown. “The staff and the faculty have been very engaging, and it has been a joy working on this project.”

Their input led to these unique features:

• A ramp connecting the building’s two floors rather than an elevator. The ramp will allow students of all abilities to easily circulate through the building, and it will serve as a social space for interaction.
• A kitchen in the dining space. Because the school teaches life skills in addition to the traditional language, science and math curriculum, a kitchen will be available for students to learn how to prepare simple meals.
• A U shape. The building will be made up of small sections or modules that are strung together like a pearl necklace. A central courtyard will provide a safe place for play and educational activities. The modules are similar in size and shape to other buildings in the northeast D.C. neighborhood, ensuring the school building fits well into the neighborhood.

The center also will have an outdoor classroom with amphitheater seating, an outdoor play area, garden, dining terrace and physical education space.

A generous donation of $5 million from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF, established by Bill Conway, made the project possible. The remainder of the permanent funding comes from other generous donors, the sale of a portion of the Buchanan Street property and the sale of other properties whose uses are no longer consistent with the agency’s mission.

These organizations are playing pivotal roles in this innovative project:

• Arborist: Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.
• Architect: A Complete Unknown
• Civil Engineer: Clark Azar & Associates, Inc.
• Construction Financing: United Bank
• Contract Attorney: Holland & Knight LLP
• Dry Utility Consultant: Richter & Associates
• General Contractor: Coakley & Williams Construction
• Geotechnical Engineer: ECS Capitol Services, PLLC
• Landscape Architect: Bradley Site Design
• MEP Engineer: Global Engineering Solutions
• Permit Expediting Services: Owens Technologies, Inc.
• Project Management: Capital Projects Management Firm
• Roadway Civil Engineer: VIKA Capitol, LLC
• Structural Engineer: Silman
• Traffic Consultant: Wells & Associates
• Zoning Attorney: Holland & Knight, LLP