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September 12, 2018
in
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 John W

Kresge Auditorium and Pavilion

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Cate Student Center, Meredith College Raleigh, North Carolina   The Cate Student Center, had seen minimal updates since its construction in the early 1970s. GBR was engaged to explore options for a phased renovation and expansion. The first phase focused on updating the auditorium to provide a modern, fully accessible, multi-functional space.   When originally built, the auditorium included a moveable partition, allowing the room to be split in two. In order to maximize the amount of open interior space, this wall was removed along with a rear projection booth, storage room, and office space. This allowed for an additional row of seating as well as an informal gathering and pre-function area at the back of the room.  It also facilitated adding accessible spaces with companion seating at the rear and at the front of the auditorium. The space was made to be fully accessible by providing a new exterior entrance door at the rear...

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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 10, 2018
in
by John W

St. Rose of Lima Priests Retirement Home

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Diocese of Arlington Annandale, Virginia   The goal for this project was to create a peaceful, supportive and accessible independent senior living community for up to 20 retired priests. Initially, GBR Architects worked with a Diocesan Committee to develop appropriate space, schedule and cost requirements along with qualitative criteria to evaluate three potential building sites in Fairfax and Arlington counties. The selected site in Annandale, Virginia delivered the best opportunity to meet these diverse requirements.   Following the site selection, GBR Architects designed a residential facility to meet the priests’ unique needs for worship, communal and living spaces. It was decided that the project would be built in multiple phases to provide the necessary housing over time as the diocesan priest population reached retirement age. The initial phase provided for eight priest apartments, a staff apartment, and all shared common areas including foodservice, dining, fitness, and meeting rooms. Of particular importance, the Chapel was designed...

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September 10, 2018
in
by John W

Embassy of the Republic of Hungary

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Republic of Hungary Washington, DC   In collaboration with the Hungarian design architects of A+D Studio, GBR was the Architect of Record for the renovation and addition to the existing Chancery and new Consulate building for the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, DC.  The existing chancery building is a 1970s structure with exposed cast-in-place concrete beams, precast concrete exterior panels and dark interiors. The intent of the work is to give a new and appropriate presence to the embassy, while respectfully relating to the surrounding residential neighborhood and the environmentally sensitive adjacent Rock Creek Park.   In an effort to limit the project scope and costs, a decision was made to retain the existing chancery building and alter its architectural character through new cladding combined with additions at the public entry area. The existing facade is re-clad through a combination of pre-patinated copper and large-format porcelain wall panels. The additions help form and emphasize a ceremonial...

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September 10, 2018
in
by John W

Miller Center of Public Affairs

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] University of Virginia Charlottesville, Virgina   Working closely with Miller Center staff, GBR Architects designed a multimedia archive and library for this nationally recognized government and public affairs center for the study of the American presidency at the University of Virginia. This library provides reading and research space for scholars; storage for a number of collections, including digital media, books, and audiotapes; and a full compliment of office space for staff and scholars. Multiple additions weave through and around the historic Faulkner House to complete the ensemble. GBR Architects designed warm, scholarly spaces that range from personal and shared offices to larger gathering areas, such as the reading room.   GBR Architects not only connected all floors together with clear and unobstructed paths but also integrated interior and exterior to better serve Miller center functions.  A new landscaped court spans between the two additions to welcomes scholars and visitors for expanded functions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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September 6, 2018
in
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
in
by John W

Gonzaga Student Commons

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Gonzaga College High School Washington, DC Award of Merit for Excellence in Design, Inform Awards   As part of the second phase of campus renovations at Gonzaga College High School, GBR Architects created this new center for student life within the “found space” of a gritty service courtyard. The new infill building also extends across the face of the adjacent athletic center with a shared entrance façade that defines the western edge of the main campus quadrangle. With its open steel frame, exposed ductwork and clean modern details, the inserted building offers a visual counterpoint to the heavy masonry construction that characterizes this historic urban campus.   Inside the space, three historic buildings form the edges of an open commons area set on a mezzanine above an expanded dining hall. Clerestory windows bring in abundant daylight and the raw character of the old courtyard is recalled through the use of exposed brick, concrete, structural steel, and...

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