Conway Education Center

Owner: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Owner’s Rep: Capital Projects Management Firm
Architect: A Complete Unknown
Location: Washington, DC
Size: 36,000 SF

The Conway Education Center is a purpose-built educational facility designed to support children and young adults with developmental differences in a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment. Replacing Catholic Charities’ former building, the new ADA-compliant center was thoughtfully designed to promote accessibility, independence, and overall well-being while supporting both academic instruction and life skills development.

A defining feature of the facility is a gently sloped interior ramp that connects the building’s two floors, eliminating the need for an elevator while creating a welcoming social space where students can interact and move freely throughout the building. The U-shaped design centers around a secure courtyard that serves as an extension of the learning environment, providing opportunities for recreation, outdoor education, and social engagement.

The completed center includes specialized classrooms, life skills training spaces with a teaching kitchen and dining area, an outdoor classroom with amphitheater seating, dedicated play areas, garden spaces, a dining terrace, and a physical education area. Together, these features create a dynamic learning environment that supports the educational, social, and developmental needs of students of all abilities.

Images © Jeffrey Sauers