The Winter 2024 issue of Architecture DC magazine highlights the transformation of the Brutalist-era Malcolm X Education Center into a state-of-the-art learning facility for Bard High School Early College DC. This ambitious renovation and modernization project beautifully balances the preservation of historic architecture with the creation of a dynamic, inspiring environment for learning.
Bard High School Early College is a growing network of urban schools offering collegiate-level coursework to high school students, enabling them to graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. The school’s motto, “A Place to Think,” encapsulates its commitment to providing a safe, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating space that fosters curiosity and academic excellence.
The new DC campus presented a unique challenge: retrofitting the original 1960s Malcolm X Elementary School into a modern academic hub while working within the constraints of its existing open floor plan, including spaces without access to windows. Perkins Eastman, the project’s architect, addressed these challenges with an innovative design, centering the building around a spiral walkway called “The Socratic Walk,” which connects the ground floor to the fourth floor. This feature fosters interaction and provides a sense of movement and connectivity throughout the school.
The 115,000-square-foot facility was delivered in two phases and includes a comprehensive modernization of the original structure alongside a new addition. Updates included bringing the entire building up to ADA standards, integrating cutting-edge instructional technology, and creating spaces that support 21st-century learning. The design features classrooms, discovery commons, small group rooms, resource spaces, and a black box theater to support Bard’s growing performing arts program. The facility also includes spaces for physical education and dining services, with a focus on sustainability, targeting both LEED Platinum and Net Zero Energy certifications.
SK&A Structural Engineers is proud to have partnered with long-time client Perkins Eastman on this impactful project for DC’s Department of General Services. Completed in 2023, the new Bard High School Early College DC campus now serves 500 students, embodying its mission of academic excellence in an environment built to inspire.
We extend our gratitude to the full project team, including MCN Build, R. McGhee Associates, and Daniel Curry Architect, for their collaboration in bringing this vision to life.
Learn more about SK&A’s work on this project here.
View the entire Winter 2024 Architecture DC article here.
Sources Cited: Carnes, C. A Place to Think. Architecture DC, Winter 2024, 60-63
