The Chicago School: Elevating the Educational Experience

A Refined Space for Learning 

When The Chicago School set out to design its new Washington, D.C. campus, it turned to long-time partner HED to bring its mission to life through a sophisticated, high-performance environment. The result is a 21,000-square-foot campus that balances luxury, durability, and purpose within an environment that feels both aspirational and approachable. 

A two-story copper-accented stair anchors the space, linking a student coffee bar on the lower level with an IT help desk and collaboration zones above. The design blends warmth and precision, using tone, texture, and form to communicate brand values while creating an atmosphere of connection and movement. 

Throughout, HED’s attention to materiality drives the project’s success. The firm’s thoughtful integration of FENIX^® Innovative Materials near the campus entry helps define the project’s signature aesthetic: a modern learning environment designed to perform beautifully over time. 

A Material Approach to Brand 

For HED, material selection was about more than finish, it was about identity. The Chicago School wanted a space that projected a sense of luxury and professionalism while standing up to heavy daily use. That challenge made FENIX^® the ideal choice, with a smooth, ultra-matte surface provides a soft, tactile feel that reads as premium while offering the durability needed for high-traffic areas. 

 “FENIX is unique in that its texture is so soft – it gives a sense of luxury,” noted designer Rebecca Swanner of HED. 

J0754 Blu Fes was used on cabinetry in the main pantry and bar area, instantly distinguishing the space. The material’s deep, rich tone complements the school’s brand palette, while its low light reflectivity absorbs and diffuses illumination, creating a sense of calm and visual continuity from one area to the next. 

The FENIX^® Difference 

FENIX^® is an innovative material created with next-generation acrylic resins, hardened and fixed through an advanced electron beam curing process. This technology produces a surface that is resistant to scratches, abrasion, and impact, all critical qualities in an educational setting. 

For The Chicago School project, FENIX^® brought several unique benefits: 

• Soft-Touch Surface: The velvety ultra matte communicates comfort and quality, inviting touch and encouraging interaction. 
  
  
• Color Depth and Precision: The design required a dark, brand-appropriate blue that conveyed sophistication. The depth of tone of FENIX^® as well as its minimal reflectivity allowed HED to achieve that exact shade with consistency across panels.
  
  
• Anti-Fingerprint Technology: The surface resists smudging, maintaining a clean, refined look even in high-contact zones. Thermal Healing of Micro-Scratches: The ability to repair minor surface scratches with heat supports long-term durability and sustainability. 

From educational spaces to luxury hospitality and residential design, FENIX^® deliver a unique combination of elegance, resilience, and comfort to help designers achieve both visual sophistication and long-term performance. Together, these qualities offered a premium aesthetic without sacrificing functionality, allowing HED to deliver a finish that looks and feels exclusive while standing up to the daily realities of campus life. 

A Collaborative Success 

“This was a highly successful project, well received by faculty, students, and visitors,” said Swanner. “The success, though, was also due in large part to the amazing materials specified and the supportive reps that helped ensure finishes arrived on time and on budget.” 

FENIX^® helped HED elevate a demanding, high-use environment into something enduringly beautiful, another example of innovation meeting design intent, performance and prestige.