CGS Architects had the distinct privilege of designing the Crossroads Building at Langley School, a space that serves not only as a functional academic building but also as a central hub for the entire school community. Officially opened in September 2022, the Crossroads Building is the culmination of CGS' comprehensive campus master plan—a final piece that ties together the school’s vision for innovative learning, community engagement, and student well-being.
This 40,000 square-foot building is home to Langley’s Primary School and fifth-grade programs, as well as a state-of-the-art library, an innovation lab, a multipurpose space, and the after-school program, Club E.D. Beyond its function as a learning space, it has quickly become a beacon of connection—a physical crossroads where students, teachers, and the greater community come together to share ideas, celebrate accomplishments, and build relationships.
Designing for Movement, Exploration, and Expression
From the outset, the design brief was clear: create a space that would inspire curiosity, foster collaboration, and support a dynamic, hands-on curriculum for the students. We were tasked with crafting a building that would serve the needs of young learners in a way that was both practical and imaginative. The Crossroads Building was designed to be a flexible, adaptive space that encourages movement, exploration, and creativity—hallmarks of Langley’s educational philosophy.
In the Primary School and fifth-grade classrooms, this vision has come to life. Open, flowing spaces with abundant natural light invite students to engage actively with their environment. The classrooms are designed to be modular and adaptable, allowing for a variety of learning styles and activities, from individual work to group projects. The large windows that stretch across much of the building provide views into the landscape, reinforcing the connection between the indoor and outdoor environments.
Head of Primary School Anna Shiroma reflects, “The Crossroads Building has been truly transformational for our Primary School division. Students and teachers are engaging in our curriculum in even more intentional ways as we use large spaces that were specifically designed for young children. Our inquiry essential practices come alive in a building that allows for movement, exploration, and student expression.”
These elements were key to our design approach. The classrooms and common areas are arranged to promote interaction and fluidity between different learning spaces. This is especially important for Langley’s youngest learners, who thrive in environments that allow them to move, explore, and experiment.
Building a Strong Sense of Community
In addition to supporting individual learning, the Crossroads Building was designed with community at its heart. We wanted to create a space that would not only serve the academic needs of students but also become a gathering point for the Langley community. The building is strategically located at the intersection of several key campus pathways, physically and symbolically placing it at the “crossroads” of the school.
This location ensures that the Crossroads Building is not just a place for isolated learning but a focal point for broader community engagement. It hosts a variety of events, from assemblies and receptions to guest author visits and the Book Fair. This ability to bring together students, teachers, and parents for shared experiences was a vital part of our vision.
“Our goal was to thoughtfully design a building that would support student learning and promote an inviting campus community,” says Head of School Michele Claeys. “It’s clear we achieved that goal. The Crossroads Building is truly ‘at the crossroads’ of our campus and has already had a tremendous impact on our teaching and learning in the few short months since it opened.”
Indeed, the building’s expansive, light-filled hallways and flexible multipurpose spaces have quickly become the backdrop for many school-wide events, celebrations, and collaborative projects.
Supporting Leadership and Growth
One of the building’s most notable features is its ability to support Langley’s commitment to developing leadership skills in students, particularly during the crucial fifth-grade year. The Crossroads Building houses the fifth-grade classrooms and provides a dedicated space where these students can engage with both their peers and the broader school community.
As Head of Lower School/Assistant Head for Programs Sarah Beck notes, “It’s incredibly meaningful to have a physical manifestation of the leadership that has long characterized the fifth-grade capstone year of Lower School. Having their own space in the heart of the campus has given fifth-graders a sense of just how important they are as leaders of the Lower School, preparing to start their Middle School journey.” The building not only accommodates their academic needs but also helps them develop a deeper understanding of their role within the broader Langley community.
Transforming the Campus Environment
The Crossroads Building has also played a pivotal role in transforming the physical environment of the Langley campus. The grassy courtyard in front of the building, created by the demolition of the former library and Arts and Science buildings, has dramatically improved the overall flow and openness of the campus. This outdoor space, now a central gathering point, invites students and faculty to step outside and engage with one another in a more open, relaxed setting.
The courtyard is also an important transition zone between the various divisions and buildings on campus, symbolizing the seamless integration of different educational stages—from Primary School to Middle School. The openness of the space encourages interaction across grade levels, reinforcing Langley’s sense of community.
Furthermore, the Crossroads Building has provided the opportunity to repurpose the old Primary School space into Pirro Studios, a new home for Langley’s expanding STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs. The new art classrooms and fabrication lab have already become an integral part of the school’s innovative curriculum, enabling students to explore their creativity and technical skills in ways that were previously not possible.
A Lasting Legacy
The Crossroads Building is more than just a new academic building—it is a lasting legacy that reflects Langley’s commitment to educational excellence, community, and innovation. We are proud to have been a part of this project, working closely with Langley’s leadership, faculty, and staff to create a space that supports the school’s mission and values.
As the building continues to serve as a center for learning, collaboration, and community-building, we are excited to see how it evolves and how future generations of Langley students will make the most of this remarkable space. The Crossroads Building has truly become a place where students and educators meet, grow, and create together—a physical manifestation of Langley’s forward-thinking approach to education.
In the words of Michele Claeys, “This beautiful building is truly ‘at the crossroads’ of our campus and is already having a tremendous impact on our teaching and learning.” It has been an honor to contribute to this vision, helping to shape a space that will continue to inspire and support the Langley community for years to come.
As summer comes to a close and our interns head back to school, we are taking a few moments to reflect on their experiences with us this summer.
At CGS Architects, we believe that the future of architecture rests in the hands of talented, creative individuals who are eager to shape the world around them. Our summer internship program is designed to offer high school, undergraduate, and graduate students a comprehensive experience that blends hands-on project work with professional development, setting the stage for their future success. This summer, CGS had the pleasure of mentoring 3 interns of varying educational levels: Caroline Albrecht, Olivia Krider, and Melissa Kazanci.
Some highlights from this summer Caroline, Olivia, and Melissa shared included: experiencing office culture, going on site visits, being challenged by new software, oh, and of course taking advantage of the prime Georgetown location for lunch, coffee runs, and after-work shopping!
Caroline, a novice to the architecture world and high school senior at Connelly School of the Holy Child, revealed how challenged she was with SketchUp, a 3D modeling software. She states “It was hard for me to get the lines perfect and, pretty much, to figure out all the basic functions, but in the end, over 3-4 weeks, I was able to create my final model.” The SketchUp model of Caroline's final project, a lobster shack in Maine is pictured below.
As a third year student in her architecture program at the University of Arizona, Olivia, identified a few other skills, “the biggest skill I’ve learned through CGS is Archicad of course, a software I have grown to love. I’ve learned so much about the building process from LEED certifications and green energy design to form and function principals even a little bit about permitting and code reviews. Thanks to the people at CGS I’ve learned about the professional world of architecture and how to create and present a proposal that showcases the design in the best light.”
Melissa, who is pursuing her Masters of Architecture at The Catholic University of America, lists applying lessons from class to the real-world, learning new software, and seeing designs come to life on site visits as skills she has gleaned from her internship this summer. Ultimately, Melissa contributes her learning to architects she has worked alongside at CGS. “Everyone at CGS is really passionate about what they do and I always feel encouraged to ask questions. I would not have learned so much without them.”
Melissa also shared a deeper appreciation for the office’s historic Georgetown location besides convenience: “Working in Georgetown has been really cool, the mix of old and new [buildings] makes the area very dynamic and unique. The historic architecture is iconic to DC and it’s nice to be in an area with such significant cultural value.”
Caroline, Olivia, and Melissa all found their time with CGS to be pivotal in their next steps. While Caroline left with a better understanding of the different college architecture programs available, Olivia and Melissa finished the summer with a rejuvenated outlook as they entered their fall semesters. Melissa clarified her next steps “would be finishing my Masters in Architecture and Net Zero Design at CUA. I’m looking forward to working afterwards and being able to help create spaces that will directly have a positive impact on people’s lives.” Similarly, Olivia ascertained “For now I want to take all the wonderful, educational, great advice I’ve received from everyone at CGS and apply it to my schooling and projects. After this summer I feel more established in how a building comes together and the steps that go into making a good design a great project and I can’t wait to flex my new skills.”
By the end of our internships at CGS, our goal is for each intern to have developed a strong foundation in architectural practice, equipped with both practical skills and professional insights. We aim to provide a meaningful experience that not only enhances their understanding of the industry but also inspires them to pursue their architectural aspirations with confidence. We are proud of the work Caroline, Olivia, and Melissa have done this summer and we wish them luck in the coming school year.