Benjamin Banneker Academic High School is the highest-performing public school in DC. Serving students who are typically the first in their families to attend college, the school places great emphasis on creating a collegiate ambiance
that supports high levels of achievement, while also helping to mitigate stress on these young scholars. In their previous building, a relatively small space called the “Learning Commons” had become the school’s heart – where students went to learn, socialize, and de-stress – and considered critical to the positive school culture. For the new building, this Learning Commons is the core unifying element—appropriately reflecting and contributing to the school’s culture. As it stacks through the central atrium, it integrates all program spaces on every level by providing centrally located, open, and collaborative spaces for study, socialization, and collaboration. This allows it to become a beacon of natural light into an otherwise deep building footprint. Skylights suffuse each level with natural light and generous interior glazing in adjacent instructional spaces allows natural light to supplement daylight from exterior windows, enhancing the learning environment.

The Learning Commons culminates in "Skyplace," an open-air roof terrace with views to the Washington Monument and across the city that honors Benjamin Banneker's achievements as an astronomer and his key role in establishing the plan for Washington. By honoring the school's namesake, an African-American polymath who acquired great knowledge and skill despite the constraints imposed by an 18th-century society, “Skyplace” inspires today’s students while also providing a place for respite, renewal, and perspective.

The building’s massing respects its historic neighbors and creates a balanced streetscape within its residential context. As the site is also a valued community open space, a dog park and a skate park have been integrated to create a campus that is truly the center of its community.

The Architect is Perkins Eastman DC. Associate Architects include Perkins Eastman Architects, Moody Nolan, and Daniel Curry Architect.

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