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ArchDC Spring 2018.qxp_Fall 2017 2/22/18 9:12 AM Page 38

Atrium as seen from the roof.

listed on the National Register of Historic Places while On the north and south sides of the building, the design
creating a new academic and professional performance team added square footage for classrooms and studios in
venue. The team needed to respect the historic fabric while what Graae has termed “saddle bags” that present sleekly
adding nearly 100,000 square feet of space, a challenge curved and glassy facades to the neighborhood. At the rear
even for Graae, who has overseen the renovations of of the building, curving glass similarly heralds new con-
numerous city schools. struction. Both on the interior and exterior, the interventions
The solution was to preserve the front and back are unabashedly modern and clearly differentiated
sections of the existing building while demolishing its from the historic fabric of the original building without
core to make way for a new atrium, theater, black-box overwhelming it.
spaces and below-grade parking for 50 vehicles. “With After the obligatory security checkpoint, the school’s
the building’s National Landmark status, we had to jump main entry at the ground level of the central portico opens
through all the hoops of the Commission of Fine Arts and to a handsome gallery space with light flooding in from
the Historic Preservation Office,” recalled Graae. “We restored full-height windows. With its original terrazzo
traded new construction for restoration of the historic east floors and sleek wood ceiling acoustical panels, the space
façade including the two-story portico and balustrades, will soon be filled with art and sculpture. For the moment,
the side porches [that originally served as matching main the only object on display is a grand piano (one of one
entries: one for boys, the other for girls], as well as the hundred in the building according to the architect) that on
custom portico lamps.” a recent visit was occupied by a student in an impromptu
practice session.

38 THE CURTAIN RISES