Page 38 - Spring_2018

ArchDC Spring 2018.qxp_Fall 2017 2/22/18 9:12 AM Page 36

The Curtain Rises
The Curtain Rises

Renovated and Expanded

Ellington School Debuts by Denise Liebowitz

“This is a one-off. Ellington is the crown jewel of DC studios, chorus and rehearsal rooms, a professional theater
Schools and I’ll never see another project like this in my complete with lighting catwalks, orchestra pit and sprung
career,” said Christoffer Graae, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, floor, as well as two additional fully equipped black-
founding principal of cox graae + spack architects. Graae box performance spaces. In addition to its performing
was standing in the sun-flooded gallery of the Duke arts facilities, it also boasts ceramics and visual arts
Ellington School of the Arts at 35th and R streets in studios, a media center and the full array of classrooms
Northwest Washington and speaking of the more than and laboratories for the traditional college-prep high
three-year modernization and expansion of the city’s school academics. By every measure, the new Ellington
vaunted high school for the performing and visual arts. School astounds.
It’s hard to argue with Graae’s assessment of the scale Built in 1898, the neoclassical building started life as
and ambition of this show-stopping project, part of the Western High School, was expanded in the 1920s, and has
decade-long drive to modernize crumbling public school undergone several renovations since. Even in its previous
buildings throughout Washington. It has everything a worn condition, the school—set on a gentle rise, with its
world-class arts school should have: dance and music impressive columns, beloved gigantic Adirondack chair,

36 THE CURTAIN RISES