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September 18, 2018
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by sean

DOE Program Review Center

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Department of Energy, Forrestal Building Washington, DC   GBR was engaged to renovate and modernize this space that serves the Secretary and executive level staff at Department of Energy. The existing furniture and finishes were worn out, technology was outdated, and the room was not suited for high level meetings due to excessive noise from the adjacent Mechanical Penthouse. A primary design challenge was to isolate the conference area from this structure-born noise. This was accomplished by designing a secondary sound isolating ceiling above the finish ceiling as well as isolation brackets in the furred wall construction.   GBR worked with our Mechanical Engineering and Acoustical Consultants to solve the problem of the disruptive mechanical equipment noise and achieve DOE’s aggressive sound level requirements. We also integrated new mechanical controls with base building system to accommodate DOE’s requirements for monitoring and control points and coordination of infrastructure in the ceiling plenum.   The project involved renovation and space...

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September 12, 2018
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by sean

BJC Headquarters Renovation

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Baptist Joint Committee Washington, DC   The design of this 5,000 sf office was developed to reinforce the owner's desire for an open and collaborative work area and reflect their mission as a education and advocacy organization. Modular wall systems with large areas of glazing are used to bring daylight deep into the interior and preserve visual connections within the office suite. Perimeter offices are organized around central, flexible common work areas.   This approach replaced a dated, traditional layout with a central corridor flanked by secretarial work areas and enclosed offices. The new Baptist Joint Committee headquarters now reflects a professional work environment and achieves a strategic goal to be visually connected to the U.S. Capitol and the nearby Supreme Court.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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September 12, 2018
in
by sean

Quaker Welcome Center

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] FCNL Education Fund Washington, DC   Located across the street from the U.S. Capitol, the Friends Committee for National Legislation had acquired the 1860s townhouse immediately adjacent to their headquarters. This three story brick building, in the Capitol Hill Historic District, had been modified and expanded over the years; most recently in the 1980s when it was converted into four residential rental units.   The program called for creation of a new flexible meeting space on the ground floor while maintaining four rental units on the upper floors.  The mission for the new Welcome Center is to provide a peaceful place for dialogue and the promotion of peace, justice, and environmental sustainability.   The GBR design preserved the original historic structure fronting C Street N.E.  The original first floor parlor was renovated to create a living room style space for small gatherings.  The rear addition was removed and re-imagined as a larger flexible meeting space that flows...

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September 12, 2018
in
by sean

Baumann Consulting DC Headquarters

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Baumann Consulting Washington, DC LEED Platinum®   Located at 1424 K Street, NW, GBR Architects designed a new DC Headquarters for Baumann Consulting Engineers.  Embodying a strong commitment to sustainable design, the project achieved platinum certification under LEED for Commercial Interiors.   As a National Register Historic Building, built in 1905, only minimal changes to the existing mechanical system were allowed to the design team.  Consequently, all other systems needed to be designed to be as sustainable as possible to achieve the LEED Platinum level.  This includes lighting, plumbing and all interior finishes.   The 5,400 sf interior renovation included two large open floor plan work areas, a large glass fronted conference room, three meeting rooms along with a work room and pantry/dining area.  The two existing toilet rooms were renovated with ultra-low flush toilets and a third, accessible toilet room with shower was added.  We reused resin panels from the previous build out to create a bike...

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September 12, 2018
in
by John W

DOI Strategic Workplace Planning

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Department of Interior, Main Interior Building Washington, DC   Designed in the Stripped Classical Style, the Main Interior Building (MIB) was construction in 1936 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The scope of the project involved evaluating the MIB to determine the appropriate level of alterations necessary to accommodate additional personnel and to understand the architectural and programmatic implications on the DOI’s housing strategy. The primary objective of this study was to increase efficiency in occupancy of the MIB while minimizing any impact on the building’s historic fabric. The ultimate goal was to articulate an end-state occupancy plan for the MIB that included consolidation of staff from commercial leased space over a seven-year period.   To accomplish this objective, GBR developed a Program of Requirements for bureaus currently housed in leased space. GBR also developed concept designs for workplace prototypes within a typical half-wing at the MIB. In addition to creating...

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September 6, 2018
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by John W

Fishbowl Headquarters

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Fishbowl, Inc. Alexandria, Virginia   Fishbowl, a marketing and analytics firm serving the restaurant industry, wanted to refresh their lobby and entrance spaces as well as their staff kitchenette & dining area.  Given their clientele, Fishbowl wanted an upscale space to highlight their work with restaurants.  GBR worked within a limited budget to provide a fresh new branded aesthetic that included a custom millwork reception desk in the lobby and custom matching island and wall & base cabinets in the staff lounge.  New finishes in their conference room completed this limited scope project.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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September 6, 2018
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by sean

Lab School Student Commons

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Lab School of Washington Washington, DC   This project entailed the adaptive reuse of an antiquated cafeteria and commercial kitchen. Although centrally located, the space was entirely under-utilized. With the majority of students spending their lunchtime in the classroom, the cafeteria space was primarily used for dance, creative movement, and gymnastics. Given its central location, students would still often circulate through the space at various times of the school day. The location, and its proximity to the outdoor courtyard, provided an opportunity to recapture this area for a broader and more appropriate use.   GBR Architects transformed the dark and unwelcoming space into a café-like Commons to be used throughout the day for a variety of activities: lunchtime for students, gatherings before and after school, additional instructional and presentation space, meetings with faculty and parents, and extra-curricular events like dances and small assemblies. Furniture was selected to provide for maximum flexibility, including a custom-designed...

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September 5, 2018
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by sean

Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Mary Baldwin University Staunton, Virginia   The Spencer Center for Civic and Global Engagement was in need of home that would give the newly created program a prominent visual presence on campus. The Center provides a resource to engage and challenge students to seek out service opportunities locally, nationally, and globally. The program also focuses on bringing students from diverse backgrounds into the Mary Baldwin community.   Strategically positioned at the center of campus along the primary campus pedestrian spine, the Center is named in honor of former president, Sam Spencer.  This student-focused facility occupies a storefront that was the former campus computer center. It leverages its location at a major crossroad of pathways used daily by students.  In response to this core campus location, the center is visually open to those passing by, revealing its intent on student engagement to all.  This transparent connection is the first glimpse of what the student will find...

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September 1, 2018
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by John W

Lab School Library

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Lab School of Washington Washington, DC Award of Merit, AIA Northern Virginia   The Lab School Washington serves students with learning differences through a unique art-based education that seeks alternatives to traditional classroom instruction. This project provided a new library and media center that facilitates multiple methods for learning while still celebrating the importance of books as part of a complete educational experience. Three existing classrooms were set aside to create a library of 4000 volumes. While budget and space constraints were tight, the real challenge was designing a library for a student population for whom words can be indecipherable puzzles and libraries a mystery.   Careful study of the space needed for circulation and book perusal revealed that double-sided rotating bookcases would hold twice the amount of books and also eliminate clutter.  These rotating bookcases also proved to be enjoyable and appealing to the children.  The optimized bookcase arrangement coincided with the buildings existing...

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June 28, 2018
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by sean

Butler Condominium

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Butler Family Silver Spring, Maryland Award for Excellence in Architecture, Virginia Society of the American Institute of Architects   Repurposing of a 1500 sf art gallery attached to a LEED certified co-housing complex, GBR Architects created a flexible apartment for a family of five. The architecture organizes itself around a single, continuous header framed in exposed metal studs and sheathed in corrugated plastic. Openness, togetherness, sustainability and economy influence the attention to detail and material ingenuity.   The Butler’s sought a lifestyle that would allow more family time and a renewed sense of “living in community” with their children and their neighbors. A layer of transparency was developed between defined spaces by a continuous transom of ribbed acrylic glazing to allow light transfer from the exterior deep into the interior space. An over-sized, built-in table becomes the family magnet; serving multiple functions. Entire walls slide to conceal, offer access to or to completely open individual...

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