Physical Education Center - Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
Washington, DC
Project Details
Architect Firm:
KressCox Associates
New Construction:
Yes
Date Built:
1/1/1998
Building Type:
private schools, gymnasiums
City:
Washington
State:
District of Columbia
Country:
USA
Description:
The Physical Education Center building forms an important edge of the campus Quadrangle circulation system [made from a former parking lot]. Because the playing fields to the north of the building are at an elevation 12 ft. higher than the Quadrangle, the building acts as a transition point in the campus with the upper level opening out to the play fields and the lower level facing onto the Quadrangle green space. Entrance points at both levels are through arched outdoor vestibules into the lobby. The south facade is composed of 3 separate components - the gym court, the entrance lobby, and the locker - classrooms. Filtered south and north light enters the gym court through a repetitive series of tall windows modulated with brick piers and thick end towers. The entry section is a compressed grouping of figural elements with the brick arch and clock tower indicating the Quadrangle entrance from across the campus. The clock tower upper section holds cooling tower equipment. Black recessed bands of brick alternate with dark red brick for the lower story. A lighter colored salmon brick is used for the upper story along with precast concrete trim.
The new facility needed a full-sized competition basketball court with spectator seating for 400 and two dividable practice courts for volleyball and basketball. In addition, fully equipped locker rooms, aerobic-weight training rooms, classrooms, offices, and a lobby-lounge area were required.
