Engenium Group is thrilled to announce that Dorothy Height Elementary School in Washington, DC was honored for its innovative design at the 2025 Architectural Engineering Institute (AEI) Conference’s Professional Project Awards, where it was recognized as AEI’s Best Overall Project Under $100M. Additionally, the project received six other awards of merit and excellence:
- Architectural and Engineering Integration Award of Excellence
- Electrical Systems Design Award of Excellence
- Repair and Rehabilitation Award of Excellence
- Mechanical Systems Award of Excellence
- Lighting Systems Design Award of Merit
- Renovation Award of Merit
These honors were proudly accepted on behalf of the entire project team by Chris Wilson, Partner & Principal Engineer at Engenium Group.
Dorothy Height Elementary School is the result of a bold vision: uniting the historic Washington Health School and Dennison Vocational School with a vibrant two-story glass atrium, blending history with cutting-edge sustainability. The project sets a new benchmark for what is possible in public education facilities, integrating forward-thinking engineering and people-first architecture to deliver an environment where students, educators, and the entire community can thrive.
Recognizing Excellence in Architectural & Engineering Integration
The AEI awards celebrate not just individual innovations, but the seamless integration and creative problem-solving demonstrated across every discipline. This includes, among many other notable achievements:
- The implementation of a closed-loop geothermal system with 100 wells (each 650 feet deep) that provides highly efficient, all-electric heating and cooling—eliminating the need for traditional boilers and cooling towers and dramatically lowering carbon emissions.
- Deployment of advanced water-source heat pumps, energy recovery units, and real-time indoor air quality monitoring for optimal comfort and health.
- Resilient, adaptable electrical and lighting systems—future-ready for solar and integrated with sophisticated metering and controls.
- Creative solutions to protect and celebrate the site’s historic character, such as concealing new systems within existing architectural features, utilizing attic and tunnel spaces, and restoring original facades and woodwork.
These honors reflect the extraordinary collaboration, technical expertise, and relentless dedication of the entire project team, including CGS Architects (Architectural Design), GCS-Sigal (General Contractor) and a wide network of many other specialty consultants, subcontractors, and stakeholders.
A Breakthrough Model for High-Performance, Sustainable Urban Schools
Dorothy Height Elementary School is slated for LEED Gold and WELL Building certifications and has already set a new standard for what urban schools can achieve—even before formal Net Zero standards were in place. Despite significant technical and logistical challenges, the project team delivered a high-performance, future-ready facility that will serve and inspire generations to come.
“Winning seven national AEI awards is a true testament to the innovation, vision, and teamwork that defined this project,” said Chris Wilson, Partner & Principal Engineer at Engenium Group and Principal in Charge for Dorothy Height Elementary School. “We are deeply honored by this recognition and grateful for the leadership of CGS Architects, GCS-Sigal, and all of our partners. Together, we have shown that historic renovations, sustainability, and world-class design can truly coexist—and elevate each other.”
About Engenium Group
Engenium Group is a boutique engineering and design firm providing innovative, insightful, and sustainable solutions tailored to our client’s specific goals. With a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability, Engenium Group provides tailored solutions that enhance the built environment while meeting the evolving needs of both clients and the communities we are designing for. Engenium specializes in challenging mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and technology design projects in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region.
