Gilbane Building Co.

Owner:

District of Columbia Dept. of General Services

Architect:

Perkins Eastman Associates

Scope Of Work

Dunbar Senior High School has a historic past as one of Washington, DC’s premier schools, and now has a future in the same role as the Smoot/Gilbane Joint Venture built its brand new facility on the existing campus. The existing 1970’s era school remained in operation during construction and was demolished after the new school building was completed in July 2013. Operations were safely maintained on the campus at all times during school construction.

The design for the new Dunbar High School was inspired by the cherished 1917 building that served the school before its demolition in the 1970s, while also looking forward to the future by providing 21st century learning environments. The new building’s entry plaza has a southern orientation approached from New York Avenue and can be seen from across the Dunbar Recreation Center. Students, visitors, and staff are welcomed into a south-facing entry plaza designed to signify the seriousness of purpose of the institution. The adjacent academic wing is characterized by bay windows and towers, reminiscent of the historic school.

The project was delivered under a Design-Build contract, with the parties being Smoot/Gilbane, a joint venture, and EEK Architects and Engineers (now Perkins Eastman). The project has gained recognition as a prototype for success on a Design-Build, fast-track, urban project while at the same time earning accolades for exceeding the local and minority business and workforce results.