Washington DC

Metta Montessori School had purchased three adjacent properties on S. Highland Street in Arlington, VA. dp+partners explored the option of renovating the three structures versus building a new 12,000 SF school for 120 students ages 2 to 14 years old. The program included six to eight classrooms, a waiting area, multi-purpose room, staff lounge, 15 parking spaces and an on-site drop off area. The client chose to renovate the three existing structures to create open classrooms in which mixed age students could learn new concepts from hands-on experience with materials, rather than direct instruction. ADA compliance, proper at-grade egress and a commercial kitchen were incorporated in the design.