Washington, DC
Houston Elementary School
Scope/Solutions
The District of Columbia Public Schools needed to modernize and expand Charles H. Houston Elementary School. The project included renovating existing spaces and constructing a new addition. By moving corridors to exterior walls, the design team was able to bring natural light into circulation areas. SGH consulted on the enclosure, including new and existing systems.
SGH collaborated with the design team to evaluate existing enclosure systems and design new ones. Highlights of our work include:
- Reviewing the existing roofing assembly, focusing on developing an insulation and drainage strategy that would be compatible with the existing roof structure
- Analyzing the hygrothermal performance of the existing walls to evaluate the proposed air barrier and insulation installation and help mitigate the potential for condensation and moisture accumulation
- Surveying the existing windows to identify deficiencies to be addressed during the renovation work and establish appropriate performance criteria
- Evaluating proposed building enclosure products and systems, including new roofing, glazing, and cladding systems
- Providing recommendations for improving constructability, durability, and performance of the new and existing assemblies
- Developing details to integrate the various enclosure systems, including transitions from new construction to the original building
- Performing construction phase services, including reviewing contractor submittals, evaluating material substitutions, observing ongoing construction and performance testing, and helping address unforeseen field conditions
Project Summary
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Building Enclosures
Markets
Education
Client(s)
Cox Graae + Spack Architects
Specialized Capabilities
Condition Assessments | Roofing & Waterproofing
Key team members
Additional Projects
Mid-Atlantic
Douglas MacArthur Elementary School
Needing to accommodate its growing student population, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) undertook a project to replace the existing elementary school with one that could accommodate expansion and modern education practices in an inspiring, sustainable facility.
Mid-Atlantic
Walker-Jones Educational and Community Center
Developed to promote revitalization of the surrounding Washington, DC neighborhood, the Walker Jones Educational and Community Center project includes a K-8 school with an integrated public library and community recreation center. Hord Coplan Macht retained SGH for the structural design.



