Context

Founded in 1789, Georgetown Preparatory School is the oldest Catholic all-boys school in the United States. Serving approximately 120 residential students and 380 day students from grades 9 through 12, Georgetown Prep occupies a 320 acre campus in North Bethesda. In an effort to provide much needed upgrades and modernizations to living facilities on campus, CGS Architects was commissioned to design the new Campus Center and Residence Hall.

Solution

Situated on the north end of campus, adjacent to the stadium and across from the Chapel, the new, five-story, 82,500 sf building houses all residential students and dorm parents. In response to input from current students, recent graduates, older alumni, and the school, CGS Architects designed the first floor to feature several common areas, including a family kitchen with an island that seats 8 and table that seats 14, and family living room with a wood burning fireplace and comfortable lounge seating. These rooms serve as a central hub for the students, a space the previous dormitories lacked. Strengthening the sense of community and belonging, residential students now have a space to gather, share meals, and host friends.

Furthermore, freshmen, who were previously isolated to a class-specific dorm building on campus can now participate in the camaraderie and brotherhood that Georgetown Prep is known for, and upperclassmen can role model to the younger students. While the main floor of the new residence hall provides the opportunity for the full residential community to come together, the second through fourth floors are separated by class. Each floor contains a lounge overlooking the football field and a pantry for students to eat, socialize, and complete homework. The fourth and fifth floors for the juniors and seniors offer more shared space between classes with a two-story pantry. The fourth floor also features a library, reflecting the academic importance of junior year, and the fifth floor, a terrace overlooking the stadium below.

In addition to students, dorm parents, who previously lived in dorm style rooms with shared amenities, now enjoy private apartments equipped with full kitchens, laundry, and bathrooms. A new faculty lounge with a fireplace and big windows provides peaceful respite between responsibilities.

The Campus Center and Residence Hall also houses a 140 seat auditorium that can accommodate the full residential community for dorm meetings, Friday night movies and weekend sporting events. The space is also shared with the school for lectures and recitals. The residential dean’s office, international student office, infirmary, sports equipment storage and guest suite also occupy the first floor.