Honorable Mention, Historic
The Virginia Mae Center (VMC), located on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., reclaims a 1929 Neo-Gothic structure that served as the College of Preachers for nearly 80 years. In 2008, changing economics closed the college’s doors and the structure deteriorated. With support from private gifts, the cathedral embarked on a comprehensive renovation and restoration plan to transform the college into a contemporary education/conference and retreat center.
A wisteria vine, more than 100-years-old, provides a dynamic natural feature at the Virginia Mae Center building entrance. 
A new egress stair, adjacent to the Chapel, provides one of the many new code-compliant egress pathways throughout the multi-level interiors. 
In the Library, the historic flooring, light fixtures, stained glass, and striking wood ceilings are carefully upgraded, restored, or replicated. 
A custom, three-stop, three-entrance elevator allows barrier-free access from the historic entry lobby to the Refectory and the Library. 
The Refectory, after restoration and renovation, set-up for dining. 
HISTORIC: PHOTO: courtesy Washington National Cathedral 
BEFORE: To assess building conditions, the structure was pared back to the building’s foundations and exterior stone walls. 
BEFORE: Lobby entry prior to renovation and installation of 3-stop elevator. 
BEFORE: Library prior to renovation and restoration. 
BEFORE: Refectory prior to renovation and restoration. 
BEFORE: Chapel prior to renovation and restoration and installation of new egress stair. 
The project is located on the grounds of Washington National Cathedral, a 57-acre landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., surrounded by the Cleveland Park neighborhood in northwest Washington, D.C. DRAWING: SmithGroup 
The new design facilitates easier circulation throughout the building with new corridors, stairs, and elevators that link key featured historic interiors—the Chapel, the Rectory, the Library, and the Main Lobby—to the new Conference Center and renovated Cloisters and Garth. DRAWING: SmithGroup 
Universal accessibility and more cohesive circulation routes were introduced across the steeply sloped site to address the 21-foot grade difference from the North Entry Lobby to the new accessible entrance on the building’s south side. DRAWING: SmithGroup
PHOTOS: Colin Winterbottom Photography unless otherwise noted
The 27,000-square-foot building’s floor plan—a compact yet complex warren of small rooms and narrow hallways dispersed across 15 levels—was a challenge. The site’s steep grade added to the accessibility puzzle. The solution is two well-placed elevators, one that serves the upper-floor guestrooms and another specifically designed with three stops and entrance from three sides to allow barrier-free access from the historic main lobby to the Refectory and Library, which were restored, along with the historic Chapel and Cloisters, into flexible meeting spaces. Modern IT systems are seamlessly integrated into all public spaces and meeting rooms.
The dormitory lodging and shared bathrooms on the upper floors were converted into guestrooms with private baths. In the towers, 2-story loft suites maximize use where accessibility was difficult to overcome. To integrate modern fire protection into the historic structure, SmithGroup’s fire protection team 3D modeled the space and found discreet pathways to run sprinkler piping. The interiors team carefully upgraded, restored or replicated historic flooring, light fixtures, stained glass and wood ceilings.
As part of the 57-acre landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., the project was reviewed by the D.C. Historic Preservation Office and D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board.
A skillfully executed upgrade to an important structure that retains landscaping, finishes and volumes while integrating new functionality and purpose.
Kenneth DeMuth, AIA, partner, Pappageorge Haymes Partners
Retrofit Team
Architect, Interior Architect, Lighting Designer and MEP/FP Engineer: SmithGroup
Landscape Architect: ParkerRodriguez
Structural Engineer: SGH
Civil Engineer: AMT
Geotechnical Engineer: Haley & Aldrich
Acoustical Consultant: Acoustical Design Collaborative Ltd.
HVAC Specialist: Harvey W. Hottel Inc.
General Contractor: AllenBuilt Inc. and Eichberg Construction
Materials
Bluestone and Vermont Unfading Green Slate: Serra Stone Corporation
Wood Veneer: WolfGordon
Fire-protective Glass: Keralite from GreenLite Glass Systems
Exterior Stucco: Keim
Acoustical Wall Panels: Snap-Wall
Quartz Countertops: Wilsonart
Flooring: Sherwin-Williams
Toilet Partitions: ASI Global Partitions
Air-handling Units and Chiller: Carrier
Boilers: Aerco
Historic Light-fixture Restoration: Grand Light
Decorative Light Fixtures: Craft Metal Products Inc.
