At the core of Living Classrooms is its mission of hands-on education and workforce development programs serving youth, adults, and families in the National Capital Region. The three level building is sculpted to support this mission with a ground-level culinary training restaurant, STEAM classrooms on the second floor, and additional workforce development and fundraising space on the third floor.

The architectural concept is imagined as a "pavilion in the park" that incorporates shifting horizontal volumes inspired by a ship's prow and the movement of water, while adhering to the neighborhood's historic guidelines. The result is a set of inspirational interior spaces for learning, teaching, and working with dramatic panoramic river views that are experienced from any perspective in the building.