AFH-DC's Cardozo project presented at the First Annual Architecture for Humanity Nationwide Chapter Forum Open Mic Session. October 2010

1. thank you office remodel The Birth of a Project

2. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: The Project Strengthening the connection between a school and its community is what “Collaborating for Cardozo” – AfH-DC’s latest local initiative – is all about. Through a collaborative effort from 21CSF, SHAPPE, AfH-DC, Cardozo Senior High School teachers and students, parents and community members, a classroom at Cardozo will be transformed into a Parent and Community Resource Center.

3. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: The Purpose The purpose of the Cardozo Senior High Parent and Community Resource Center to is address and solve three main challenges: 1. Decline in student enrollment 2. Limited parent and community involvement 3. Limited resources to reach parents for internet communication

5. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: The Clients 21 Century School Fund (21CSF) and SHAPPE (Senior High Alliance of Parents, Principals, and Educators) have partnered together to identify policy and practice reforms that connect schools and communities in order for communities to participate in making and sustaining better schools and schools to contribute to the health and quality of the neighborhood.

6. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Existing Space

7. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Programming Phase How should it look? How should it feel? How should it function? These questions were the basis for us to better understand the needs and wants of the Cardozo parents, teachers and students for the new Parent and Community Resource Center.

8. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: The Design Questions How do we take this existing classroom and transform it into a warm, relaxing, inviting place to learn, grow, mentor, seek guidance, obtain information, receive support, communicate, and socialize, while still maintaining functionality, sustainability, safety, and beauty? Not to mention, how do we create a multifunctional Resource Center within a small existing space?

9. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Schematic Phase This floor plan was a great answer to our design questions. It not only addressed the needs and wants of the parents, students, teachers, and clients, but it also addressed the need for a multifunctional space – by which we created three distinct zones: Café, General Area, and Lounge Area.

10. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Design Development FINAL Floor plan for the NEW Cardozo Senior High Parent and Community Resource Center

11. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Design Development What a typical day could look like in the NEW Cardozo Senior High Parent and Community Resource Center

12. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Design Development ACOUSTICAL PANELS Our biggest design challenge? The acoustics. Our solution? Sustainable acoustical panels!

13. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Design Development CEILING TREATMENT Another solution to tackle the acoustical challenge? Design acoustical pods to hang from the ceiling to absorb sound.

14. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Design Development Based on a cool design concept, a unique logo was created to give the NEW Parent and Community Resource Center some brand awareness and recognition.

15. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Implementation Welcome to the NEW Cardozo Senior High Parent and Community Resource Center!

16. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo: Implementation

17. thank you office remodel Collaborating for Cardozo Imagine a warm, inviting place where parents can go to check their email or send an email to a teacher inquiring about their children’s progress. A place where parents can meet over a cup of coffee to discuss the joys and pains of raising teenagers. Or to discuss with a guidance counselor their children’s options after graduating high school. A place where parents, students, Cardozo staff and community members can attend workshops, seminars, classes, and other events to gather information, learn a new skill or receive counseling or encouragement. Thanks to a collaborative effort and the hard work of a dedicated AfH-DC project team, no one will ever have to imagine such a place.