Duke Ellington | Proposal for A/E Services (Select Pages)

Proposal for Architectural/Engineering Services for

D u k e El l i n g to n Sc h oo l o f t h e A r t s

“When you are an accurate outer reflection of who you say you are inside, that is your perfect style.”

Michaela Angela Davis (Ellington Alumna)

E.4.3 Executive Summary

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY After a detailed review of the request for qualifications, our team

In the following sections we have assembled information regarding

immediately identified an overwhelming need for two fundamental

our experience, our team, our design approach and management

design components: world class design solutions and innovative

plan, and a portfolio of relevant renovation and expansion projects.

educational planning. The Duke Ellington School of the Arts has

While each section is tailored to our understanding of the Ellington

earned national acclaim and recognition for the accomplishments of

program, we recognize that the elements presented here are mere

its administration, teachers, and students. Now is the chance to

speculation without an intense and detailed series of work sessions

create a facility which complements and highlights these

involving a broad range of stakeholders. This proposal represents

achievements and aspirations.

our interpretation of the information contained in the Request for

This is no time to be shy. This is the opportunity for the Duke

Proposals and should not be seen as limiting or prescriptive.

Ellington School of the Arts to be bold and “Think Big.” As you

This is the true beauty of Thinking Big; while the past may be full

contemplate the possibilities of your new performance venues, you

of constraints, the future offers unlimited possibilities.

must Think Big. In the same way, take a similar approach to the selection of your planning and design team. Be bold, this is no time to second guess. Think Big and choose the team that has a reputation for creating world class solutions and thought provoking educational models.

The task ahead of you is to select a team that is renowned for its iconic designs—one of the most highly-regarded and award-winning architectural practices in the world. Think about teaming with the most recognized theatre design firm in the world. Think about working with one of the nation’s thought leaders in school planning and design—professionals who can create places for the “whole student.” Think about partnering with experienced local businesses.

And then stop and think about the possibilities such a team would provide.

Helping the Duke Ellington community Think Big – this is the singular focus of the Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Fanning Howey team. It is our intention to work with the Duke Ellington community—from the students, alumni, and administration to the Office of the Chancellor of Schools and Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education—to create the most significant performing arts high school in the world.

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SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS BASED ON EVALUATION CRITERIA Experience & References The Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Fanning Howey team offers a broad range of design expertise. With the expertise that comes from the design of iconic structures such as the Pyramid at the Louvre and the Holocaust Museum to the design-build, fast-track delivery of multiple high schools in Washington, DC, we can address the two key elements of your vision for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. In addition, our team includes Theatre Projects, the world’s premiere designers for performing arts venues, along with a strong team of experienced local consultants. Our goal is to deliver world class design, with a Ward 2 spirit.

Key Personnel Our team is led by Michael Bischoff of Pei Cobb Freed & Partners as Design Principal and Ed Schmidt of Fanning Howey as Management Principal. The two men previously worked together, in similar roles, on the design of the American Association for the Advancement of Science building in Washington, DC. Ed will act as your single point of contact, using his knowledge of DGS, DCPS, and the design-build, fast-track process to effectively coordinate all team activities.

Michael will direct our team’s design efforts, using his world-class expertise to develop a lasting and meaningful campus environment.

Other key members of our team include Archivist/Historic Preservationist Monica Miller, who has already conducted extensive research into the history of the Western/Ellington campus; Benton Dellniger and Scott Crossfield of the US office of Theatre Projects, the world’s leading performing arts design firm; Melvin Mitchell, an experienced DC architect who will lead our DBE program efforts; and George Miller, Managing Partner for Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Dan Mader, Chairman of the Board of Fanning Howey. Together with a team of DC consultants, these individuals offer a comprehensive and world-class approach to the Ellington School of the Arts project.

Design-Build Fast-Track Experience Our team has completed the design-build, fast-track delivery of three Washington, DC, high schools: Phelps, Eastern, and Wilson. We offer an in-depth understanding of DGS and DCPS processes and procedures, as well as the “hands on” lessons learned from our work in the community. In addition to Phelps, Eastern, and Wilson, Fanning Howey was also involved in the renovation of the Takoma Education Campus, which lasted only 9 months.

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Pei Cobb Freed & Partners + Fanning Howey

BE BOLD Design Approach and Management Plan The basis of our design and management plan is delivering the Ellington vision. Everything about the school speaks of innovation and dedication, and these will be the hallmarks of the Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Fanning Howey team.

Our team structure establishes Management and Design Principals in concert for the duration of the project—design competition through move in. Ed Schmidt and Michael Bischoff have worked together and know how to deliver innovative and exciting projects.

Design Portfolio After reviewing the Design Portfolio, we hope you can imagine the possibilities for the Ellington School of the Arts. Our before and after pictures truly span the world – from the Louvre in Paris to DC’s very own Eastern High School. In particular, many of the highlighted projects involved the creation of a dramatic façade on an existing campus. This is one of the exciting possibilities we could consider for your project.

LSDBE Compliance/Utilization Our Local Business Utilization Plan projects 51 percent involvement

by CDB firms. Many of these firms—including Bryant Mitchell Architects, EMJohnson, JVP Engineering, ReStl, ECS, and AMAR Group—have past experience working with Fanning Howey on DCPS projects.

We believe this team provides DGS, DCPS, and the Ellington/Ward 2 community with the best possible combination of world-class experience and local knowledge. We are ready to help you “Think Big” as you write the next chapter in the history of the Western High School/Duke Ellington School of the Arts campus.

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world-class Design The transformation of Ellington into an icon for the performing arts requires a world class team of professionals. Pei Cobb Freed & Partners provides our team with the international and national credentials worthy of such a lofty goal.

Pei Cobb Freed & Partners is known for creating iconic structures throughout the world. Among its best known works are the expansion and modernization of the Louvre museum in Paris; San Francisco Main Public Library; the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.; Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong; and the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York.

Individual projects designed by the firm have received over 200 major design awards, including 24 National Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects. The AIA Twenty-Five Year Award has been conferred upon the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, (awarded 2004), and the John Hancock Tower (2011).

To address the functional and aesthetic characteristics of performing arts facilities, our team has partnered with the internationally renowned theater consulting firm Theatre Projects. One of the world’s leading theatre design firms, Theatre Projects’ portfolio includes more than 1,200 projects in 70 countries. The firm’s award-winning experience ranges from the Kennedy Center Theatre Lab right here in Washington, D.C. to the Center for the Arts on the Blacksburg campus of Virginia Tech to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens, Greece.

Together, Pei Cobb Freed & Partners and Theatre Projects will provide the Department of General Services and District of Columbia Public Schools with world-class design capabilities to support your world-class vision for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

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With a Ward 2 Spirit Great design is only half the equation for the Duke Ellington School of the Arts. The effective restoration and preservation of the historic Ellington campus (pictured above as Western High School in 1898) requires a team with a deep understanding of Ellington, Ward 2, and the broader DC community.

Managing Principal Ed Schmidt has a detailed understanding of the history of the Ellington campus, both on a professional and personal level. Ed’s father-in-law is a graduate of Western High School (class of 1944) and served as alumni association president in the mid 1950s.

Monica Miller, Archivist/Historic Preservationist/Community Liaison for our team, has spent the past several years researching and writing about the history and legacy of District of Columbia school facilities. In particular, she has done an in-depth study of the unique history of the Ellington building. Monica graduated from a Ward 2 high school, has lived and worked in Ward 2, goes to church in Ward 2, and has a daughter currently going to school in Ward 2.

Educational Planner Robin O’Hara lived in Ward 2 for 10 years. Her father lived in the Ward, graduated from Western High School in the 1940s, and was an active member of the alumni association. Robin’s grandparents were founding members of the Georgetown Garden Club.

In addition, many of our team’s consultants have worked extensively in Ward 2. Together, our personal and professional experience provides a powerful platform for the exploration, preservation, and celebration of Ellington’s rich history.

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OWNER CONTACT

District of Columbia Public Schools Allen Lew, Former Executive Director

EASTERN HIGH SCHOOL

OPEFM 2400 East Capital Street, SE

Washington, DC

Washington, DC 20003 202.442.5111 BUILDER CONTACT

Fanning Howey

Turner Construction Company Pamela-Murray Johnson 3865 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 300 Arlington, VA 703.841.5200

PROJECT COST SQUARE FOOTAGE SCOPE TEAM MEMBERS INVOLVED

$67 M 280,000 Renovated SF; 4,000 New SF Architecture/Engineering Ed Schmidt, Robin O’Hara, Rocio Sanchez, Riyad Bannourah, Tim Lehman

DELIVERY METHOD

Design-Build

COMPLETION DATE

2010

KEY STRENGTHS EXHIBITED

Historic preservation Fast-track design-build LEED Gold certification 21st century high school environment On time / on budget Local codes/regulatory agencies REPRESENTATIVE AWARDS 2012 Citation

National School Boards Association

Eastern High School was built in 1923 and is one of the oldest continuously-operating high schools in the District of Columbia. Due to its age and size, the school building was renovated and “right sized” to better meet the needs of the community, as well as DCPS standards.

The exterior of this historic high school facility was restored to its original grandeur. All 280,000 square feet of interior space was renovated, including the enclosure of two courtyards.

Additionally, 4,000 square feet of space was added to the high school.

All building systems and components were renovated and upgraded to increase efficiency and decrease operating costs. Restoration of high ceilings and original window designs brought back the old school charm, while offering modernized classrooms and improved learning environments. Eastern High School achieved LEED® Gold certification. Fanning Howey designed the project in partnership with cox, graae + spack architects.

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2011 Award of Excellence - School Project of the Year

USGBC National Capital Region Chapter 2011 Citation - Historic Preservation

AS&U Architectural Portfolio 2012 Excellence in Historic Preservation

District of Columbia Historic Preservation Office 2011 Award for Excellence - Historic Resources

American Institute of Architects, Washington D.C. Chapter 2011 Honorable Mention Award

Learning By Design

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