The Potomac SchoolIntermediate School

Category: Renovation & Addition

McLean School DistrictMcLean, VA

2015 Exhibition of School Planning and Architecture

The Potomac School, Intermediate SchoolMcLean, VA

Potomac SchoolSite Plan

Potomac School in McLean Virginia is situated on a 90-acre campus in a natural setting that includes forest, streams and fields. In 2001 the School embarked on a multiphase campus expansion.

Completed in 2013 the Intermediate School renovation and addition is the most recent project on the campus.

The Commons

Community Environment: The Intermediate School is one of four divisions at Potomac School, the others being the Lower School (K-3rd grade), Middle School (4th – 6th grades), and Upper School (9th – 12th

grades). The stand-alone 7th

and 8th grade division allows a unique opportunity for students in their adolescent years to develop individual sense of identity and confidence as they prepare for high school.

As the Intermediate School (IS) embarked on the journey to create a new building, one of their top priorities was to give the IS building an identity. Previously the entrance to the school was a door leading into a double-loaded corridor. There was no arrival space and no gathering space. In the new building the IS wanted a space to reflect and support their unique culture. A place to come together as the close family they are, and to give the 12 – 14 year old students a sense of responsibility and independence,

Stair to 2nd Floor

A welcoming front porch replaced the non-descript old front door. Inside of the glass enclosed entry are the administrative offices and a view to the IS Commons. The School’s new 2-story Commons is a focal point of the design. The space is the large enough to gather the full IS (approximately 190 people) for weekly meetings, but also scaled to be comfortable for small class groups or quiet independent studying.

Impromptu Classrooms

Learning Environment: The new IS addition houses six new classrooms, three break-out study areas. An outdoor amphitheater accessed from the IS Commons and from the new 1st floor classrooms, and a renovated science garden add to the variety of learning spaces. Extending teaching spaces from the classrooms to the outdoors supports Potomac School’s mission to create a 21st century school that promotes education about environmental responsibility.

Physical Environment: The Intermediate School, (and the Upper and Lower Schools built in 2006 and 2009 respectively), is designed with the School’s commitment to environmental stewardship in mind. Visual and physical connection to the natural beauty of the campus is a constant theme. Responsible design principals guide selection of materials and building systems. Design features such as rain chains leading to rain gardens provide an opportunity to teach about sustainable practices.

Planning Process: Active participation by the Potomac School community was essential to successful planning and design of the Intermediate School transformation. An interactive process of interviews, meetings and workshops was used to engage with key members of the community. Administrators, faculty, staff and students all had an opportunity to participate in the consensus building process to ensure that the completed project represents the interests and requirements of all users, and reflects the culture of the Intermediate School.

“As we fill our new building with students and

activity we feel that the spirit of the

Intermediate School is given space to thrive.

The work of [the architects] has transformed

the building and enhanced our educational

mission.”

—Head of Potomac Intermediate School

Exhibition of School Planning and ArchitectureProject Data

Submitting Firm : cox graae + spack architectsProject Role ArchitectProject Contact Joanna SchmickelTitle PrincipalAddress 2909 M Street NWCity, State or Province, Country Washington, DC 20007Phone 202.965.7070

Other Firm: Linton EngineeringProject Role Structural EngineeringProject Contact David LintonTitle PrincipalAddress 46090 Lake Center PlazaCity, State or Province, Country Potomac Falls, VA 20165Phone 571.323.0320

Other Firm: Metropolitan Consulting EngineersProject Role MEP EngineeringProject Contact Gus MehrdadTitle PrincipalAddress 4345 Nebraska Avenue, NWCity, State or Province, Country Washington, DC 20016Phone 202.244.8880

Construction Firm: Coakley Williams ConstructionProject Role General ContractorProject Contact Pat CaufieldTitle PresidentAddress 7475 Wisconsin Avenue, #900City, State or Province, Country Bethesda, MD 20814Phone 301.963.5000

Exhibition of School Planning and ArchitectureProject Details

Project Name The Potomac School, Intermediate SchoolCity McLeanState VirginiaDistrict Name McLean, VASupt/President John KowalikOccupancy Date January 2014Grades Housed 7, 8

Capacity(Students) 1000 (K-12), 180 for grades 7 and 8Site Size (acres) 90 acre campusGross Area (sq. ft.) 24,000 sf (8,700 new, 15,300 sf renovation)Per Occupant(pupil) 133/gsf/pupilgross/net please indicate

Design and Build? NoIf yes, Total Cost:Includes:

If no, Site Development: $64,000Building Construction: $540,000Fixed Equipment: $30,000Other:

Total: $5.5M