St. Catherine’s School Historic Renovation and Addition project, designed by Bowie Gridley Architects and constructed by Kjellstrom and Lee Construction, was recognized as the “best institutional” project at the Greater Richmond Area Commercial Real Estate Association (GRACRE) 10th Annual Awards Program, honoring outstanding commercial real estate projects in the metropolitan Richmond region.   The award recognizes the project’s innovation, quality of construction, complexity of design, overall success, solutions to challenges in design, zoning, construction, and budget, and economic impact on the community.

The 74,000 sf building renovation and addition modernizes and expands the school’s academic facilities for Middle and Upper School students.  By adapting and renovating space previously used for dorms in Bacot, Ellet and Washington Halls and renovating offices in the Arcade, the school added classrooms, science and art labs, student gathering spaces and administrative offices.  A dining hall addition doubles the existing space to provide an assembly room and a new entrance for the Middle School.

Founded in 1981, Bowie Gridley Architects specializes in work for institutions of community significance – schools, performing arts centers, libraries, athletic and recreational facilities, and museums.  The architecture, planning and interior design firm is based in historic Georgetown and works with clients nationally.

St. Catherine’s School (www.st.catherines.org) in Richmond, Virginia, is an independent all-girls day school serving students in grades K-12.  A member of the National Association of Independent Schools (www.NAIS.org) the school is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places.