Private School and Charter School Architects

Renovating or building a new charter school or private school facility is a significant undertaking. Let Shinberg.Levinas guide you through the process. We are an architecture firm with Washington DC and Maryland offices that has worked on over 60 schools since our firm started in 1995, so we have the expertise you need for your project.

View a few of the schools we have designed over the years.

Our strengths encompass:

Site Evaluation

Time is Critical

It’s not unusual to have a very narrow window to evaluate a site. Speed matters. Experience matters.

Our process is based on a long history of supporting our clients in this critical process. We have a structured method that’s built to be tailored for each school, and for each site.

Preparation for Site Visits

The first step is preparation. If the program and planning process has evolved, it will be far, far easier to evaluate a site quickly. We compare your program to available square footage, building configuration, and options for phasing or adding to the building.

Narrowing Choices

We merge what we see on site with code and zoning issues quickly, ruling some potential sites in, and others out. This saves time in terms of scheduling and staffing. With our narrowing the selection, a more careful evaluation can be done.

Avoiding Pitfalls Through Good Planning

We have been brought in by schools after the local authorities have rejected an application for a Certificate of Occupancy, or an unexpected zoning issue turns critical, or ADA hasn’t been sufficiently considered. Making a commitment to a space or a building without full investigation is an enormous risk, particularly when a small investment in professional support can help you avoid pitfalls and begin the process of optimizing solutions.

If you are considering modifying an old building, Don’t rely on first impressions.

From the first site visit...

The Charette

Among the programming techniques which can be strong contributors to success are charrettes. These are intensive, highly-participatory and structured sessions in which we work with leaders to define and refine goals and planning elements.

This process can reveal profound insights and bring together different people who will be using the building. The information generated from a charrette often translates directly into how the school will be shaped. This collaboration leads to values-based programming and reinforces stakeholder ideas.

...to opening the school,…

…an old building can be dramatically transformed, adding floors, redefining spaces and making a more unified, energy-efficient skin.

Space Allocation

Testing the Fit of Program and Building or Site

We develop a Space Allocation Plan for sites or buildings you decide are worthy of studying further. That tests the efficiency of a building or site to actually absorb your program, and the relationship of spaces as well, both indoor and outdoor. The Allocation Plans also reflect conditions outside the building envelope: site use, parking, play, loading, and of course, circulation. Each school’s special characteristics have critical impact.

A good first round studying Space Allocation establishes a great start to the actual design process for your school.

Planning and Programming

Sample Images

Another tool we use is eliciting feedback and your reactions to sample images. This is a clear and direct way to find your preferences and a great way to get the ultimate design off in the right direction.

Refining Your Program

Some considerations we will work out together:

  • Central versus distributed support space

  • Clustering of certain grade levels

  • Relationship to outdoor space

  • Control/Security

  • Relationship to the community

Design

An Integrated Approach to Design

For every educational building we design, Shinberg.Levinas combines practical know-how with the particular characteristics of the institution. The result is a building that is as inspirational as it is functional, featuring built-in flexibility to accommodate your changing needs. We integrate these qualities into the design process:

1. Budget
By taking a fresh approach in our designs, Shinberg.Levinas helps you realize expensive dreams on a tight budget. We meet frequently with contractors to get the best value and results. We supply cost estimates of changes, enabling you to evaluate decisions before committing to them. We advise you on contracting relationships, help you evaluate bids and proposals, and administer construction contracts. From master plans to interior design we’ll help you stay on budget.

2. Aesthetics
We believe that a building is not the result of a programmatic equation. A building should be more than the sum of its parts; it should be poetic as well. But beauty need not be expensive. Shinberg.Levinas incorporates aesthetics and cost-effective materials and methods of construction into the very shape and function of our designs. By using materials that are both attractive and affordable, and by being sensitive to maintenance costs we develop an architecture that meets budget and reflects the uniqueness of its community.

3. Spirit
Shinberg.Levinas captures the unique spirit of each school by listening to your ideas, needs and challenges. For instance, we meet regularly with your building committee, focusing the discussion by using special worksheets and a running “idea and challenge board.” We attend school functions and classes to understand the concerns of your community. And then we translate all that we’ve learned into design.

4. Construction Know-how
Design concepts are only as good as a building’s performance over time. Shinberg.Levinas’s designs reflect our extensive technical expertise, from site analysis through construction. As former building contractors, we know how to work with yours, beginning with easy-to-follow drawings.

We know how to weave and manage the knowledge of structural, mechanical, electrical, civil and landscape consultants into clear building designs. This knowledge enables us to formulate workable construction documents, examine each for preliminary engineering and cost considerations, oversee permit approvals and contracts, and guide all phases of construction.

5. Function
Your school must function well, invisibly and seamlessly. Shinberg.Levinas pays careful attention to all elements of your building. Air conditioning and heating systems must operate quietly to avoid distracting classes. Classrooms must be comfortable, and lighting must properly match each function. Kitchens must be accessible and efficient. Parking lots must facilitate a swift and safe traffic flow.

6. Flexibility
Shinberg.Levinas designs buildings to be efficient: classrooms that can expand or contract easily to meet changing needs; meeting rooms that can be boardrooms one night, and community rooms the next. We also think in terms of your future growth.

Do you need a charter school or private school architect? Contact us today to let us know how we can help you.