Benjamin Banneker Academic High School

For its design of the new building at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School—a public school in the historic center of Washington, D.C.—Perkins Eastman DC employed holistic strategies to deliver social, economic, and environmental value. The heart of the building is a four-story Central Learning Commons, a unifying atrium that connects academic programs and social spaces, culminating in the “Skyplace” terrace with views of the Washington Monument.  
 
LEED v4 BD+C Platinum–certified, the fully electrified building achieves an EUI of 20.2, under the original target, through photovoltaics on the roof and south facade shading devices, and site-mounted panels. Passive strategies and high-performance systems maximize thermal comfort and air quality, while skylights bring natural light deep into the footprint. Stress-reducing features—like warm materials, outdoor classrooms, and accessible green spaces—enhance student and faculty health and engagement. 
 
As one of the first two D.C. schools pursuing Net-Zero Energy, the school sets a new standard to be built upon for future modernizations across the district.