Truesdell Elementary School

Title: Truesdell Elementary School

Award Category: Building Enclosure

Project Address/Location

800 Ingraham St NW

Washington, DC 20011
United States

Submitted By: John Karras

Company Info

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.

1625 Eye Street
Suite 900
washingon, District of Columbia 20006
United States

7812645614

[email protected]

Project Description and Background: Located in Washington, DC, Truesdell Elementary was constructed in the 1920s and expanded in the 1960s. Since its opening, the school has been a cornerstone of the community. As the population grew, the facilities no longer met the demands of today’s students and educators. To better serve the community, the Department of General Services and DC Public Schools undertook a project to modernize the school, including renovating the original 1920s building; replacing the 1960s wing with a three-story classroom building; and constructing a new two-story addition with a mass timber roof for gym, dining, and arts activities. The new and renovated facilities formed a central courtyard that’s become the heart of the campus, providing natural light, connection, and community space. Building on our strong relationship with project architect VMDO, SGH served as the building enclosure consultant for the design-build project. We played a critical role in helping the team achieve its ambitious goals for performance, sustainability, and design integration. Our work ranged from assessing and upgrading the original masonry walls to developing enclosure strategies for the new additions, ensuring seamless transitions between old and new construction. We collaborated with the project teams on waterproofing, air and water barriers, cladding, glazing, and roofing systems, with a particular focus on meeting stringent energy, airtightness, and sustainability benchmarks.

Scope: The modernization of Truesdell Elementary School combined historic preservation with ambitious goals for sustainability and performance. To achieve these outcomes, the team engaged SGH as the building enclosure consultant, recognizing that the project’s long-term success depended on durable, energy-efficient, and well-integrated enclosure systems. Our work began with a condition survey of the original 1920s building to determine which elements could be retained and how they could be adapted to meet modern requirements. For the existing mass masonry walls, SGH performed hygrothermal analysis to evaluate three insulation strategies. This analysis provided the design team with data-driven comparisons of durability, energy efficiency, and compatibility with the historic construction, so that the chosen approach respected the building’s character while improving performance. Beyond the historic structure, SGH consulted on the design and detailing of new construction elements, including the three-story classroom building and a two-story gym, dining, and arts addition with a mass timber roof. We advised on below-grade waterproofing, exterior wall and cladding assemblies, glazing systems, and roofing, with an emphasis on reliable detailing and constructability. Our work also supported the integration of sustainable features, such as sunshades on the south elevation and solar panels on all roofs, helping the team meet LEED, WELL, and Net-Zero Energy goals. Airtightness was a critical performance objective across both new and existing buildings. SGH developed strategies to achieve stringent requirements, consulted on complex transitions between old and new assemblies, and provided detailing for expansion joints where rainscreens met mass masonry walls. We also supported the team during whole-building air leakage testing, validating compliance and reinforcing quality control efforts. Throughout construction, SGH remained actively engaged. We reviewed submittals, advised on contractor RFIs, and worked directly with field teams to resolve unexpected conditions. Our day-to-day involvement ensured that design intent translated into durable, high-performing installations. By providing diagnostic analysis, technical design consultation, and on-site support, SGH helped the project team navigate the challenges of modernizing a multi-building campus. Our contributions enabled the building enclosure to perform as intended—protecting the historic character, supporting advanced sustainability goals, and delivering a resilient, healthy learning environment for students and the community.

Solution: The modernization of Truesdell Elementary required innovative enclosure solutions that balanced performance, durability, and preservation of the historic structure. SGH’s role was to help the team develop and implement strategies that addressed the unique challenges of integrating new construction with nearly century-old mass masonry walls, while also meeting aggressive sustainability and airtightness goals. Thermal Performance of Historic Masonry One of the most notable challenges was improving the thermal performance of the 1920s mass masonry walls without introducing new moisture problems. SGH conducted a hygrothermal analysis to evaluate three different insulation strategies (mineral wool with a vapor retarder, open cell spray foam with a vapor retarder, or closed cell spray foam) on the interior face of the existing wall, comparing their impact on energy efficiency, long-term durability, and compatibility with the existing construction. This technical study provided the design team with a clear basis for selecting a solution that balanced sustainability with preservation, allowing the walls to perform reliably while extending the building’s useful life. Whole-Building Air Tightness The project also had ambitious whole-building air leakage targets that exceeded typical code requirements. While ASHRAE 90.1 allows up to 0.40 cfm/sq ft of leakage, the Truesdell project set a far more stringent threshold of 0.15 cfm/sq ft across both new and existing buildings. Achieving this required innovation and careful execution. SGH collaborated with the construction team to review and refine air sealing strategies in the field, focusing on critical details such as closed-cell spray foam insulation in the existing building, flashing around original windows to remain, and integration of air barriers at the mass timber roof deck, curtain wall interfaces, and expansion joints. Through this collaborative process and thorough quality control, the building successfully passed whole-building air leakage testing, demonstrating performance well above industry standards. Complex Expansion Joint Conditions Integrating new rainscreen assemblies with existing mass masonry walls and coordinating roof-to-wall transitions presented another challenge. SGH carefully reviewed expansion joint details during the design phase and provided recommendations for integrating air and water barrier systems. During construction, we inspected installation, identified locations requiring modification, and worked with the team to implement solutions that ensured continuous air and moisture protection at these complex interfaces. Innovative Outcomes Together, these solutions represent a thoughtful and technically rigorous approach to modernization. The project not only preserved the historic character of the original school but also delivered a facility that meets today’s most advanced expectations for sustainability, energy performance, and durability. By combining state-of-the-art testing and analysis with careful detailing and field coordination, SGH helped the project team achieve results that are both functional and forward-looking—positioning Truesdell Elementary as a model for school modernization in the district.

Value: The involvement of a building enclosure consultant was central to the success of the Truesdell Elementary modernization. The project required balancing historic preservation, sustainability targets, and stringent performance requirements across a complex mix of old and new construction. By engaging SGH, the design-build team had access to specialized expertise that directly reduced risk, informed critical design decisions, and helped deliver a facility that exceeded performance expectations. One of the most valuable contributions was guiding the design team through strategies to improve the thermal performance of the 1920s mass masonry walls. Without careful study, adding insulation could have introduced significant risks of condensation, moisture accumulation, and freeze-thaw damage. SGH performed hygrothermal analysis to evaluate three insulation strategies and presented clear comparisons of their performance and risks. This analysis gave the team the data needed to make an informed, balanced decision—preserving the historic walls while creating long-term durability and energy efficiency. Our input also added value by addressing complex transitions early, before they became construction challenges. We reviewed details for expansion joints between new rainscreen assemblies and existing masonry walls, as well as connections between air and water barriers at the mass timber roof deck. These reviews helped the architect and contractor refine drawings and installation strategies, avoiding costly changes in the field and ensuring that the building envelope would function as a continuous, reliable system. During construction, SGH remained engaged as a partner in execution. We reviewed submittals, provided technical guidance on RFIs, and conducted field observations to confirm that the installation aligned with the design intent. This hands-on involvement contributed directly to the project’s most notable achievement: the successful completion of whole-building air leakage testing at 0.15 cfm/sq ft—nearly three times tighter than the ASHRAE 90.1 requirement of 0.40 cfm/sq ft. This outcome is a clear measure of how our collaboration elevated the building’s performance. Beyond technical metrics, SGH’s role advanced the client’s broader vision for sustainability and resilience. Our consulting supported the integration of shading systems, solar panels, and high-performance roofing into the enclosure design, aligning with the project’s LEED, WELL, and Net-Zero Energy goals. The value of SGH’s involvement lay in combining technical rigor with practical, constructible solutions. By anticipating risks, supporting collaboration, and contributing to execution quality, we helped the project team deliver a school that is not only historically respectful but also high-performing, sustainable, and resilient—a true model for the future of DC’s educational facilities.

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