Engenium Group is providing MEP engineering and design services for the modernization of Malcolm X Elementary School (formerly Green Elementary School) in Washington, DC. The $54-million project includes a 68,000-square-foot renovation, a 7,000-square-foot addition, and a 4,500-square-foot expansion of the Child Development Center. The reimagined campus will feature flexible learning environments, a modern gymnasium, cafeteria, and support spaces, all designed to foster collaboration, well-being, and energy stewardship. Targeting LEED Gold and Net Zero Energy certifications, the project is slated for completion in Summer 2026, aligning with DCPS’s commitment to sustainable, student-centered facilities.

Engenium Group’s MEP design centers on decarbonization, energy efficiency, and occupant health, a technically ambitious scope for a dense urban site and existing structure. The modernization replaces all legacy infrastructure with all-electric systems, including a 130-ton closed-loop geothermal field, water-source heat pumps, and energy recovery ventilation units with sorbic filtration to enhance indoor air quality while minimizing outdoor air loads. A web-based energy management system integrates metering, demand response readiness, and renewable energy monitoring to help achieve Net Zero goals. Additional strategies, such as heat pump domestic water heating, high-efficiency LED lighting with daylight controls, and PV-ready electrical infrastructure, position the school as a model for next-generation learning environments that balance innovation, comfort, and sustainability.

*Renderings courtesy of CGS Architects