Context

St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School is an independent Episcopal, college preparatory day school in Alexandria, VA. Created from a 1991 merger of two K-12 schools, the current Upper School serves  students from 9th-12th grade. Last updated in 1996, the Upper School’s small classrooms, outdated design, deficient dining facilities, and isolated science labs were inadequate for modern education standards.

Solution

St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School commissioned CGS Architects for a renovation and addition of the Upper School, following the completion of a Master Plan and updated Strategic Plan under separate contract.

The 35,000 sf addition provides state-of-the-art science labs, art studios, new kitchen and a large, double height ceiling dining room. Featuring a central staircase with adjacent sitting steps at the heart of the additon, the student commons acts as the school’s core. The commons connects the surrounding labs, studios, and dining area, and with ample seating, creates an inviting space for students to  learn, study, eat, and socialize with eachother. Skylights above the commons and floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining hall provide natural light, welcoming students to collaborate.