Whittle School & Studios

An Adaptive-Reuse Project

LEE²DESIGN served as the design consultant for the renovation of the Whittle School and Studio, a 21th century educational facility located in Northwest Washington, DC. LEE²DESIGN worked with Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) and Ayers Saint Gross, collaborating on the design during the design and construction phases of the project to ensure that the built work was in concert with the project vision.

Situated on 13.7 wooded acres, the Whittle campus creates the impression of a “school in a park” despite its urban surroundings. The newly renovated building contains a multitude of spaces designed for modern learning, including areas that facilitate project-based learning, online learning, laboratory research, and global communications. The school has five soaring glass-enclosed courtyards that transform into vibrant academic hubs where students can meet with friends for lunch, collaborate on projects, hold club meetings, and even screen films. This dynamic environment welcomes in the surrounding community through a bright public entrance with sweeping views of the school’s three performance spaces – a triple-height black box theater, a choral music hall, and a 300 seats performance theater.

Client: Whittle School & Studios

Location: Washington, D.C.

Year Completed: 2020

Collaboration: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Ayers Saint Gross

Image Credits: Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Justin Lee