HISTORIC REHABILITATION

SPRINGFIELD TERRACE SCHOOL

SAVANNAH, GA

In 2025, the City of Savannah selected Ethos Preservation and Architectural Collaborative to lead the design phase for the rehabilitation of the historic Springfield Terrace School at 707 Hastings Street. Constructed in 1926 as an elementary school for African American children in West Savannah, the school was developed through community advocacy led by Pearl Lee Smith. Designed by the Savannah architectural firm Levy & Clarke, the building reflects principles associated with Rosenwald schools, including abundant natural light, ventilation, and flexible spaces for educational and community use. The school was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2022 for its significance in education, African American heritage, and architecture.

Supported in part by a National Park Service African American Civil Rights grant, the project will rehabilitate the historic school in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and return it to active community use. Planned improvements include restoration of the school building, construction of a new restroom facility, parking improvements, and landscaping. The completed project will provide space for community gatherings, exhibitions, cultural and historical programming, artist and culture keeper residencies, and City offices.

Ethos Preservation is serving as the lead consultant and managing design and construction administration. Architectural Collaborative prepared the rehabilitation designs with support from Koons Environmental Design, Method Engineering, GEL Engineering, and Sheats Structural Consulting, Inc. Ethos Preservation and Architectural Collaborative also completed a conditions assessment to guide the design and construction work. Garbutt Construction is serving as Construction Manager at Risk.