Arlington, VA — SIGAL/Keystone Plus, A Joint Venture recently completed the new 48,000 square foot Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School located at 514 V Street NE. DC Mayor Vincent Gray was in attendance as the non-profit organization celebrated the grand opening of its second location on Wednesday, October 9, 2013.
Designed by Shinberg Levinas Architectural Design, the new state-of-the-art adult education center hosts standard classrooms, kitchen classrooms, computer labs, offices, and a cafeteria. The team demolished an old warehouse that was on site to construct the modern three story above-grade and one level below-grade building. The stainless steel and wood lobby leads to a white and glass finished trophy atrium that spans the full height of the building. The central feature of the atrium is the suspended pedestrian bridge connecting the administrative offices with the classrooms and kitchens located on the other side. The school features four fully equipped commercial kitchens (including walk in freezers, gas ranges, fume hoods and ovens). The third floor kitchen is attached to a floor-to-ceiling glass walled cafeteria and event space which has views of the Capitol. This kitchen will be used as a vendor cooking space for students and guest chefs for service in the dining area. The building is cast-in- place concrete to grade level with a structural steel frame above. In keeping with the modern aesthetic, the building façade features a mixture of EIFS and glass curtainwall with exterior thin-set tiling.
Carlos Rosario International PCS was founded over 40 years ago and has been recognized by the US Department of Education and by the National School Board Association for excellence in adult education amongst other awards for its programs. Sonia Gutierrez, President and Founder of the school, celebrated her 40th anniversary with the school in 2012. Named after Ms. Gutierrez, the new satellite location will significantly increase the number of students served and double the culinary program. Class options will range from basic English Literacy and life skills necessary for an introduction to American life, to career level English and professional certificate courses in technology and culinary arts.
LEED® Gold Certification is currently being pursued for the project.
About SIGAL Construction Corporation
Founded in 1977, SIGAL Construction Corporation (SIGAL) is one of Washington’s premier general contractors, known throughout the industry for its dedication to sustainability, high quality, cost consciousness, excellent client relations, and the ability to successfully complete unique and challenging projects. A founding partner of USGBC, SIGAL offers superior general contracting, preconstruction, construction management, design/build, and sustainability services. SIGAL’s diverse project portfolio includes institutions of learning (K-12 and higher education), Federal and municipal agencies, law firms, corporations, hotels, technology firms, biotech companies, healthcare providers, multi-family housing, and associations/nonprofits. To learn more about SIGAL Construction Corporation, please visit www.sigal.com.
About Keystone Plus Construction
Keystone Plus Construction is a DC based General Contractor. Ranked within the top 500 Hispanic Businesses in the United States for the past 7 years, Keystone is celebrating its 24th year in business. Keystone has successfully performed over 250 million dollars in projects for the DC Government and other local clients. Among the projects performed by Keystone are many Historical Landmarks, Educational Facilities including Public and Charter Schools and Universities, Municipal buildings, Fire and Police stations, Parks and Recreation, Multi-Family housing, and IDIQ/JOC Facility Maintenance and Capital Improvement Projects. Keystone is known by its clients for its quality and ability to “get the job done’ at competitive prices on fast paced condensed schedules. Keystone maintains a large in house core work force which gives it the flexibility to perform Demolition, Carpentry and various Interior Finishes. Keystone has the ability to mobilize on a project within a few hours if necessary. Keystone is a Certified Business Enterprise with the DC Office of Small and Local Business.
About Shinberg Levinas Architectural Design
Shinberg.Levinas is an award-winning 12-person architecture firm. The company’s portfolio consists of a variety of project types, including institutional, commercial, and high-end residential. Since its founding more than 15 years ago, Shinberg.Levinas has earned international, national, and regional recognition from the American Institute of Architects. The firm’s work has been published in the Washington Post, The New York Times, Architectural Record, Interior Design, Home & Design, and in a number of international books on about design. To learn more about Shinberg.Levinas, please visit www.shinberglevinas.com.
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