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A collection of residences, workspaces, and cultural beacons, the 9½ Street Initiative celebrates U Street’s rich artistic character and cultural history. The multi-building redevelopment provides a new and permanent home for the African American Civil War Museum and creates a supportive mix of commercial and residential uses. As a result of the thoughtful and surgical-like urban infill design, this adaptive reuse celebrates the historic character of the former Grimke School while creating new modern living, working, learning and “making” spaces.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore how architects, urban designers, and planners can work in conjunction with Public Private Partnerships to generate practice and simultaneously contribute to community vitality.
• Analyze the impact of cultural anchors on a neighborhood.
• Summarize the history of the Grimke School and describe the major considerations in its adaptive reuse.
• Identify different approaches in design for the ownership condo building facing U Street and the rental apartment building on 9 1/2 Street.

Presented by: 

Murphy Antoine, FAIA
President, Torti Gallas + Partners

Sarah Alexander, AIA
Senior Principal, Torti Gallas + Partners