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Above and below: Renovated auditorium. Photos © Andrew Rugge/Perkins Eastman

inspired by rivers of the world including the Anacostia.
Thirteen panels rise through all three levels of the
school, each depicting a major city and river system in
Asia, Africa, Europe, or the Americas. For the depiction
of the Anacostia and its surrounding neighborhoods,
the graphic on the ground floor flows off the wall
onto the terrazzo cafeteria floor and then out into the
community entrance plaza.
The school has been redesigned as a high-
performing, energy-efficient building that is on track
for LEED Gold certification. Making the school “a good
environmental neighbor” was important to the design
team. Because Eliot-Hine suffered recurring flooding
in past years, the update includes a large bioretention
area, a rainwater harvesting system, and green roofs.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony in September,
Mayor Bowser noted that Eliot-Hine is one of 11
modernized city school facilities opening this academic
year. By any measure, the city’s commitment to invest
in its young people is impressive.

42 CIVICS LESSON