AIA reveals schematic design for first-ever comprehensive renovation of its D.C. headquarters

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/50766-where-architects-stand-a-statement-of-our-va","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.ehdd.com\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","http:\/\/www.hooddesignstudio.com\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.hartmancox.com\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.pointenergyinnovations.com\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.turnerconstruction.com\/","target","_blank"]],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.aia.org\/resources\/6077668-framework-for-design-excellence","target","_blank"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Like any 50-year-old building, AIA\u2019s Washington, D.C., headquarters\nis showing its age. Antiquated, inefficient systems are fraying and breaking\ndown, an evolving workplace culture has rendered its siloed spaces obsolete,\nand the Brutalist ideals that shaped its high-walled street presence have given\nway to a desire for transparency and engagement. In short, the building no\nlonger serves as an efficient or effective space for AIA staff to work or\nmembers to visit, nor does it best reflect "],[0,[0],1,"the\norganization\u2019s values"],[0,[],0,"."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cAIA\u2019s headquarters should serve as an expression of the value\narchitects provide and align with the values we uphold as a profession,\u201d says\nAIA 2022 President Dan Hart, FAIA. \u201cWe have a responsibility to redesign this\niconic building to the highest standards in sustainability, resilience, and\nequity.\u201d"]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u201cWe have\na responsibility to redesign this iconic building to the highest standards in\nsustainability, resilience, and equity.\u201d - AIA 2022 President Dan\nHart, FAIA"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"To carry out the building\u2019s first-ever comprehensive renovation,\nthe Board of Directors selected a project team led by San Francisco\u2013based\narchitecture firm\u202f"],[0,[1],1,"EHDD"],[0,[],0,", with\u202f"],[0,[2],1,"Hood Design Studio"],[0,[],0,",\u202f"],[0,[3],1,"Hartman-Cox Architects"],[0,[],0,", and\u202f"],[0,[4],1,"Point Energy Innovations"],[0,[],0,"\u202fas\nconsultants, and\u202f"],[0,[5],1,"Turner Construction Company"],[0,[],0,"\u202foverseeing\nconstruction management. The project kicked off in 2020, and now AIA is pleased\nto share the team\u2019s schematic design."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The AIA\u2019s headquarters building was designed by The Architects\nCollaborative, the Cambridge, Massachusetts\u2013based giant of Postwar Modernism\nfounded by the likes of John Harkness, FAIA, and Walter Gropius. Intended to\ncreate a statement about Modern architecture in a heavily Federalist\nneighborhood, the building used the cutting-edge technology of its day. But 50\nyears of advancements in building technology show that the lack of insulation\nin the concrete walls and the single-paned windows are terribly inefficient. Similarly,\noriginal systems such as gas-fired boilers don\u2019t hold with the sustainable\nstandards of the day."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"If the original building was intended to make a statement about\nstyle, the goal of the renovation is to demonstrate the power of architects and\narchitecture to transform the existing built environment for an inclusive and\nclimate-positive future."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Because preserving the embodied carbon is key to decarbonizing the\ncampus, EHDD developed a scheme\u2014designed in accordance with the "],[0,[6],1,"Framework\nfor Design Excellence"],[0,[],0,"\u2014that will reinvent the existing building, rather than starting\nanew. On the primary south- and west-facing fa\u00e7ades, fixed solar shades above\nnew double-pane low-E glazing will minimize heat gain and create less of a\nburden for electrified building systems\u2014all of which will be powered by on- and\noff-site renewable energy. A new performative cool roof under a 125 kW PV array\nwill further regulate the thermal resistance of the structure."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A reprogrammed courtyard will invite members of AIA and the\nWashington, D.C., community alike to engage with the building. Relocating the\nstore to the front of the building along New York Avenue will increase\nvisibility and foot traffic to the site, inviting people to shop and to stay to\nlearn more about architecture."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Inside, the glass-lined atrium is being reimagined as an interior\ngarden, leveraging all the health benefits of biophilia to create a more\ndynamic space. The ground-floor welcome center will feature touchdown spaces as\nwell as galleries that display work from a diverse cross-section of AIA members\nand components."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"A new lower level will house drop-in collaboration and coworking\nspaces and amenities such as a fitness center, mother\u2019s room, library, VR\/media\nlounges, coffee area, and archives. The second floor will host the AIA\u2019s\nadvocacy center as well as more coworking space and a hosting suite to provide\noffice and meeting space for visiting members. The third- and fourth-floor\nworkspaces for AIA staff will feature open and enclosed collaborative spaces as\nwell as open-plan workstations and retreats for focused work alongside social\nspaces that are lacking in the current setup. This will allow more\ninterconnectivity between AIA departments that will streamline systems and\nbenefit members across the country."]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u201cThis\nheadquarters renewal will dramatically transform AIA\u0027s home for staff, members,\nand visitors by fostering connection to the community; serving as a model of stewardship\nand sustainability for the public and profession; addressing the urgent need\nfor climate action; and creating a flexible and collaborative work environment\nthat embodies the AIA\u0027s mission and values.\u201d - EHDD partner Rebecca\nSharkey, AIA"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cThis headquarters renewal will dramatically transform AIA\u0027s home\nfor staff, members, and visitors by fostering connection to the community;\nserving as a model of stewardship and sustainability for the public and\nprofession; addressing the urgent need for climate action; and creating a\nflexible and collaborative work environment that embodies the AIA\u0027s mission and\nvalues,\u201d says EHDD partner Rebecca Sharkey, AIA."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"While EHDD\u2019s 74-year history is steeped in creating new and\nrevitalized projects with deep expertise in renovation and expansions, this one\naims higher than ever before. \u201cIt will be one of the first fully decarbonized\nmajor renovations in the U.S.,\u201d Sharkey says. \u201cBoth embodied and operational\ncarbon from the renovation will be fully addressed and will demonstrate a\ncost-effective path for achieving the AIA 2030 Commitment target of carbon.\u201d"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"With 2030\u2014and the carbon-neutral targets that come with\nit\u2014fast-approaching, and given the dilapidated state of the building, there is\nno time like the present for the AIA to embark on this project. And while\nfinancing is still underway, AIA has committed that member dues will not be\nincreased to cover the cost of the project."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u0022Given the current state of our headquarters, we can\u0027t afford\nnot to make this critical investment in the future of our organization and the\nprofession,\u0022 said AIA EVP\/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann Woods.\n\u0022By transforming our office, we will significantly reduce our carbon\nfootprint and operational costs while also ensuring we have the physical space\ncapabilities to meet our future needs. I look forward to welcoming our members,\nstaff, and community to our renewed space once the renovation is\ncomplete.\u0022"]]],[1,"blockquote",[[0,[],0,"\u0022By\ntransforming our office, we will significantly reduce our carbon footprint and\noperational costs while also ensuring we have the physical space capabilities\nto meet our future needs.\u0022 - AIA EVP\/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann\nWoods"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"In addition to providing a safer and more efficient work and\ngathering place for AIA staff and members, the renovation will serve as an\nexample of what can be done in the built environment. To effect change, AIA\nmust lead by example. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"\u201cBy demonstrating the powerful role design can play in improving\nour communities, we can show how to take the action that is needed to move the\nneedle on climate action and to make the built environment healthier and safer\nfor future generations,\u201d Hart says. \u201cIn order to effectively advocate for these\nchanges, we must start by taking action ourselves.\u201d"]]]]}