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Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School
Phelps Architecture, Construction and Engineering High School In 2006 Phelps High School sat vacant and in disrepair. Less than two years later, the revitalized building was hailed by PBS’s Nightly Business Report as an example of a school of the future. The story of how Phelps went from out-of-step to avant-garde is the story of a “break the mold” planning process that redefined the possibilities for education in Washington, D.C. A Cherished Legacy Leads to a Compelling VisionPhelps Vocational High School opened in 1933, serving as a technical training academy for construction trades. For decades, Phelps operated based on the idea that “all forms of labor, whether with the head or hand, are honorable.” But by the turn of the century, the school had fallen out of step. An emphasis on construction trades had given way to a vocational trades program and less popular classes such as Cosmetology and Shoe Repair. This, combined with declining enrollment, caused the school to close. For the next five years, the iconic and historic structure would remain vacant, used only by passing vagrants or neighborhood gang members. As the engineering and construction trades flourished in the Washington metropolitan area, local residents and government leaders recognized the pressing need to renew the school district’s focus on building-related vocational education and training. In 2006, the School District Administration approved a Master Plan that called for Phelps to reopen in 2008. True to its original vision, Phelps would become the first public high school in the nation to offer both college-preparatory and vocational education exclusively dedicated to the design professions and the construction trades. Hands on Planning for High-Tech Learning To ensure that the school would meet the needs of today’s design and construction industry, DCPS engaged several local trade associations to assist in the planning process. Organizations such as the American Institute of Architects, the Washington Architectural Foundation, Associated General Contractors, and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council of Carpenters (MARCC) participated in the initial planning phases and assisted with fundraising. In addition, MARCC pursued opportunities to enable the renovation process itself to serve as a learning opportunity, providing on-site pre-apprenticeship training for D.C. students, as well as employment for adults from the community. Highlights of the final educational program include:
Special Challenges and Solutions When the project began, the structure reflected fire damage, limited functionality due to poorly conceived additions and modifications, and years of neglect. The design-build team had to overcome these poor conditions while balancing the need to create a modern learning environment with concerns related to historic preservation and LEED certification. The resulting whole school modernization carefully preserved the original 1930s structure on campus. The unsightly circa-1971 structure was gutted and rebuilt with a new façade and new building systems. A new commons serves as a highlight of the modernization, and connects the older, 1930s structure with the transformed 1970s structure—bridging the two with a dynamic, light-filled, two-story arcade that enlivens the entire campus. The commons’ distinctive roofline adds drama to the campus and serves as a unique architectural element—signaling a spirited, modern tone for the new generation of DCPS school buildings. The commons serves a vital role in orienting visitors and providing a central wayfinding spine, linking the academic and public realms of the building and bringing in abundant natural light through a large skylight. Actively used by the students, the space offers wireless access as well as a showcase of construction displays, including welding, drywall, and masonry. The original building was restored to the fullest extent possible, including the preservation of exterior brick, interior and exterior woodwork, interior slate, and terrazzo floors. The main entrance was completely refurbished, including the original dentil molding and brass lettering. Many of the original steel and wood windows were restored for use on interior walls (some windows were discovered during the construction process) or replaced with high-performance window units that complemented the original architecture. A diverse range of sustainable strategies were incorporated into the historic structure. As a result, Phelps will be one of the first LEED® for Schools certified projects in the nation. Unique Features – Building as a Teaching Tool The curriculum incorporates both advanced technology as well as traditional, hands-on skill development, with sophisticated energy monitoring tools, a welding laboratory, the computer-aided design peripheries, and heavy equipment simulators. Highlights of the school’s “learning tool” features include:
Safety & Security Security remained a key concern throughout the construction process. The neighborhood is plagued by a high level of gang activity, as well as ongoing vandalism. During construction, temporary fencing and a full-time guard helped ensure the security of the job site. Permanent security measures include fencing with ornamental, wrought-iron accents, vandal-resistant screens on the new windows, and cameras and sensors. Cost Effectiveness The project schedule also proved to be challenging, with a16-month duration for planning, design, and construction. This required an “all-hands-on” approach with maximum flexibility under the design-build agreement. The architectural team painted trim, sills, and details to ensure that the proper colors and techniques were used. Contractors also assisted with design recommendations in order to save time and add value throughout the process. A clear measure of the success of this highly collaborative and energetic approach lies not only in the final schedule—the building was ready as planned for the opening day of school—but in the project cost as well. Through the design-build collaboration the initial concept scoping phases identified and delivered almost $20 million of savings strategies allowing the project to be delivered for 75% of the initial project estimates. A Community Resource The community has held close ties to the Phelps campus for decades. A proud and excited group of alumni returned to the school for its rededication, recalling the excellent education they had received there many years before. Fittingly, Phelps is opening its doors to the community on a regular basis, for adult education, apprenticeship training for local construction trade organizations, continuing education for the AIA, community events, meetings, and many other purposes. The campus has even been reserved to host an upcoming wedding. A Bright Future Now in its first year of providing a comprehensive, 21st-century education in design and construction, Phelps has received acclaim for its model academic program as well as its appealing campus and state-of-the-art equipment. Although the DCPS student enrollment has been steadily declining in recent years, in part due to a rise in local charter schools, Phelps is proving to be an exception—capturing students from both the charter school population as well as neighboring communities in the Maryland suburbs. Many students, faculty members, administrators, and community members have voiced their excitement over the new Phelps campus. “With an entirely new business model for the D.C. Public Schools, we have delivered on a concept that goes way beyond the 20th-century stereotype of 'vocational education,'" said Allen Y. Lew, Executive Director of the Office of Public Education Facilities Modernization, at the school’s opening. "This futuristic school marks the launch of a new era of high-tech construction instruction in the District," noted Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. "Phelps graduates can look forward to well-paying jobs that can't be outsourced and trades that can never be taken away."
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