John Lewis Elementary School Modernization

Our Work

A forward-thinking K–5 campus combining sustainable plumbing design and WELL strategies to create one of DC’s first Net Zero Energy-Ready schools.

Project Details

90,000 SF

Perkins Eastman

2021

Washington, DC

Education

D.C. Department of General Services D.C. Public Schools

Plumbing Engineering & Design

Project Achievements

John Lewis Elementary School was designed with sustainability in mind, and achieved the following:

LEED for Schools - Gold Certification
Net Zero Energy-Ready
WELL Certified

The school's modernization project has received significant attention in the design world and has received the following awards:

2025 AIA COTE Top Ten Award
2023 Architizer's A+ Awards: Popular Choice Award for Primary and High Schools
2023 Metropolis Magazine's Planet Positive Awards: Education-K-12 Winner
2023 Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design's American Architecture Award

Project Description

Engenium Group provided plumbing engineering design and fire protection services for the renovation and modernization of John Lewis Elementary School (formerly West Elementary) in Washington, DC. Located in Ward 4, the modernization of the 90,000 SF school serves more than 350 students in Pre-kindergarten through Grade 5.

John Lewis Elementary is among the first Net Zero Energy-Ready and WELL Certified Schools in the District. The design and layout of the school combines a focus on indoor environmental quality variables and other components that promote health and well-being.

Net-Zero plumbing design elements include:

Hot water recirculation system optimized to reduce energy consumption
Energy efficient hot water system utilizes a water-cooled heat pump connected to a geothermal system
Condensate drainage water recovered from air handler units supplies the irrigation system