To expand hands-on learning opportunities for students, Center City Public Charter School set out to transform a former warehouse in Washington, DC, into a centralized hub for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education. Their goal was to create a dedicated space where more than 1,400 students could explore, design, build, and learn, while also creating a resource that could benefit the broader community. They engaged us to help.
Working closely with the school from concept through construction, we helped reimagine the 20,000-square-foot (1,858-square-metre) building as a dynamic makerspace. Our team provided architecture, interior design, engineering, audiovisual, lab planning, and sustainability services. Reusing approximately 65 percent of the existing structure, we also reduced energy costs by 34 percent and eliminated outdoor potable water use.
Taking inspiration from the building’s industrial character, we organized the facility around six connected labs designed to encourage collaboration, creativity, and discovery. Integrated ventilation, dust-control, storage, and safety systems support a wide range of activities while maintaining open sightlines throughout the space. We preserved much of the original structure, and the building itself has become a teaching tool, demonstrating how existing resources can be adapted and reused.
Today, this LEED Platinum-certified makerspace gives students access to tools, technology, and project-based learning experiences that foster curiosity and innovation. The facility also serves as a community asset, hosting programs and events beyond the school day. This transformation shows how adaptive reuse can advance educational goals, create opportunities for future generations, and deliver lasting value for the surrounding community.
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