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West façade of the Hyde-Addison addition with the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church across the street in the background.

latter so called because of their long, thin proportions. these subtle features. On the inside, the frit doesn’t
The new structure, the firm says, “blends perfectly interfere with the view outside, but on the outside, it
into historic Georgetown, while standing out as a blocks the light for energy efficiency.”
distinguished contemporary building on its own.” The project included some improvements to
The exact shades and density of the terra cotta the two existing buildings, such as the installation
elements vary subtly across the building, responding of modern plumbing fixtures that reduce water use,
to specific conditions. “The terra cotta [pieces] are not as well as overall site design. “The project required
all the same color,” Levinas explained. “In the corner extensive study of the site, and engagement with the
near the playground, they are more playful—more school and community as well as local and national
orange and yellow—to respond to the playground. historic preservation bodies,” the architects said. “A
Then we introduce subtle changes. The terra cotta at holistic approach was taken to the architectural design,
the entrance is more brilliant, so your eyes go into site design, landscaping, and storm water features.
that. And then on the second floor, the tile has three The design integrated the bio-retention area with the
different textures, to respond to the texture of the brick landscape and maximized the amount of green roof on
on the existing buildings. And depending on the sun the building.”
angle, the new tiles can look different.” The view south from the new building takes
The opaqueness of the ceramic frit glass used in the school’s playground and, just beyond, on the
on the building’s exterior also changes from one part other side of O Street, St. John’s Episcopal Church,
of the building to another, so as to modulate interior with its prominent tower—a visual connection that
daylighting, views to the outside, and energy use. “The is important to Levinas. “For me, the favorite thing
design allows for natural light to come in without glare [about the new building] is the way it interacts with the
while filtering it to reduce solar heat gain,” the architects students and the neighborhood,” he said. St. John’s “is
said. “Natural light continues to below-grade spaces an important icon in the neighborhood, and you can
through the use of skylights and glass floor panels.” see [in the photographs] the students playing, our new
The frit in the glass, Levinas added, “is not all [building], and in the background, the church. So you
vertical lines—it is not all the same. It is more opaque can see the three elements, and one doesn’t bother the
down below, where you need it for privacy, and more other. The three elements are a beautiful combination.”
transparent toward the top. The building has a lot of

32 SMART DESIGN IS ELEMENTARY