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ArchDC Spring 2018.qxp_Fall 2017 2/22/18 9:12 AM Page 37

The renovated Duke Ellington School of the Arts,
with infilled area visible at left.
All photos by Chris Ambridge © Chris Ambridge Photography
and sweep of lawn—was a majestic presence in the Project: Duke Ellington School of the Arts,
neighborhood. The city conducted an international design
3500 R Street, NW, Washington, DC
competition for the Ellington School modernization and
cox graae + spack was shortlisted along with three other Architects: LBA-CGS Joint Venture (cox graae + spack
highly regarded firms—Adjaye Associates (London), Pei architects, design architects; Lance Bailey & Associates)
Cobb Freed (New York), and Bing Thom Architects Theater Designers: Fisher Dachs Associates
Lighting Designers: MCLA, Inc.
(Vancouver). The competitors had a choice between two
Landscape Architects: Landscape Architecture Bureau
building sites: the existing Ellington School site or Ellington Structural Engineers: ReStl Designers, Inc.
Field, a recreation area a couple of blocks west of the school. MEP Engineers: Global Engineering Solutions
Two of the competing firms proposed new construction Civil Engineers: AMT, LLC
on the recreation land, but wise to the ways of Washington Geotechnical Engineers: HSA, Inc.
Historic Preservation Consultants: EHT Traceries, Inc.
development, the hometown firm knew the neighborhood
Sustainable Design Consultants: Greenshape, LLC
would not be happy with the loss of a treasured green space Fire Protection/Life Safety Consultants: Jensen Hughes, Inc.
and instead proposed a modernization concept for the AV/IT/Security/Acoustics Consultants: Polysonics Corporation
existing school. Sure enough, the neighbors complained, Food Service Consultants: Nyikos Associates, Inc.
the recreation site was withdrawn, and cox graae + spack Transportation Planners: Gorove/Slade Associates, Inc.
Specifications Consultants: Genis Design, PC
took the prize—“Like David and Goliath,” said Graae.
Cost Management Consultants: TCT Cost Consultants, Inc.
The task for Graae and his colleague, senior designer Contractor: GCS-SIGAL, LLC
Chris Ambridge, AIA, ARB, was to restore a structure

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