The George Washington University announced that internationally renowned architecture, engineering and planning firm Leo A Daly will lead phased renovations of the Corcoran School’s 17th Street building.
The firm has expertise in arts and education spaces, and it has assisted with preliminary space planning at the Corcoran. It will be responsible for detailed planning and historically sensitive architectural design work for the renovations at the 17th Street building.
GW acquired the 17th Street building after signing historic arts agreements last year with the National Gallery of Art, The Corcoran Gallery of Art and the Corcoran College of Art + Design. The D.C. Historic Preservation Board designated the building’s interior as historic last month.
“It is a rare privilege to lead the renovation of such an iconic Beaux Arts building,” said Leo A. Daly III, chairman and CEO of Leo A Daly. “The Corcoran Building is a significant Washington landmark, just steps from the White House. Breathing new life into such a structure, while transforming its classic gallery space into a world-class arts education environment, is an architect’s dream.”
The firm’s initial work on the building will include designing the roof and repairing the façade; upgrading critical infrastructure; and designing new program spaces, such as computer labs, to be used in the fall. Over the long term, the firm will produce designs that support academic programs and student needs in the 17th Street building.
“Leo A Daly brings a high level of knowledge and experience to this project and has successfully led our initial space planning efforts,” said Alicia Knight, senior associate vice president for operations at GW. “We look forward to working with the firm as we renovate the Corcoran to ensure that it supports our students and continues to serve as a showplace for the arts.”
The firm celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. It is an international leader in the practice of architecture and engineering, and its design expertise in arts, museum and learning environments includes the Savannah College of Art and Design in Hong Kong and the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Neb.
Leo A Daly also is leading the renovation of the historic Burlington Passenger Station, built in Omaha in 1898, transforming it into a state-of-the-art television studio facility for the Hearst Corporation’s ABC affiliate KETV News Watch Channel 7.
Mr. Daly, a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, serves on the Trustees’ Council of the National Gallery of Art and is a former trustee of the Corcoran Gallery of Art. A respected collector of 20th century art, Mr. Daly previously served as chairman of the American Architectural Foundation, vice chairman of the Kennedy Center International Committee, vice chairman of the National Building Museum and on the Advisory Board of the Blair House Fine Arts Committee.
The university recently announced that it has entered into a contract for S&R Foundation to purchase the Corcoran School’s Fillmore building, a historic property in Georgetown. S&R Foundation intends to use it as an arts incubator supporting talented artists. The university will use funds from the sale of the Fillmore for the renovation of the 17th Street building and for programs within the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design.