British School of Washington

1. 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

2. “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.

3. “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-to-ceiling, 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.

4. “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.

5. “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 cut-out drywall shapes with in-set translucent resin panels.

6. “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.

7. “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.

8. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Data

9. Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture 2008 Project Details

10. Supporting/Supplemental Files/Images Nursery featuring colorful rectangles, circles, and triangles designed into the floor and replicated in hanging acrylic resin ceiling panels.

11. Supporting/Supplemental Files/Images Seating area in corridor featuring mirror-image world maps.

12. Supporting/Supplemental Files/Images Corridor located outside of the Library.

13. 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.

14. Supporting/Supplemental Files/Images Multi-Purpose Room which serves as a lunch room, gymnasium, and stage area for performances.