For
this project, an early 1900’s generator
loading and storage facility, and more recently,
a popular Washington, DC nightclub, was converted
into office space for our growing architecture
firm. The free standing building, which sits
in the center of a city block in downtown Washington,
DC, required major renovation in order to adapt
to its new use. Two mezzanines were added within
the building shell and the lower level was excavated
in order to accommodate 75 staff on 4 floors.
A central atrium was preserved and surrounded
by a variety of meeting spaces, both formal
and informal, to promote collaboration and a
sense of community for the organization. The
first floor of the atrium provides a setting
where staff and visiting congregate and are
able to manipulate furniture, walls and drapery
to create spaces for small meetings or full
town hall gatherings. Special consideration
was given to sustainable design strategies with
a main focus on energy conservation. The crumbling
building shell was pointed-up and painted with
an insulating paint on the interior to prevent
infiltration and reduce heat transfer. Ultimately,
what was seen a valueless interior-block building
that sat vacant for ten years was transformed
into a vibrant office building that benefited
the organization and improved its surrounding
neighborhood.
