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A recent ribbon cutting ceremony marked the completion of the new national headquarters building for The American Red Cross on their site at the corner of 21st and E Streets in northwest Washington, D.C. The award-winning project combines historic renovation and new construction in a 750,000-square-foot building. The existing, historically significant 85,000-square-foot Red Cross Chapter House is incorporated into the project, relocated from the middle of the site to the front of the property. Behind it is an efficient new 10-story office tower. Clark Construction Group, LLC served as general contractor on the project.
Designed by Shalom Baranes Associates of Washington, D.C., much of the original material, such as the limestone facade, historic window frames, interior millwork and marble, was saved from the old 1950’s Red Cross Chapter House, also built by Clark. The project team’s first task was to reconstruct this five-story building. Bridging the old with the new, this historic structure connects to a new 10-story addition by a dramatic, one-of-a-kind skylit atrium. This skylight covers the main lobby of the new office building, which is an impressive seven-story structure.
Wrapped in an intricate skin, the new building’s facade is comprised of an architectural mix of limestone, curtain wall and embossed metal panels. The details of the building envelope protect more than 450,000 square feet of new office space inside. Two central cores span the ten floors above ground to house mechanical/electrical equipment, vertical transportation and bathrooms. Two levels of below grade parking also are included.
The ten floors of office space feature open space plans designed by GHK of Washington, D.C. Each floor includes pantries and conference room kiosks equipped with enhanced audiovisual technology and laptop stations. The international organization also operates a disaster operations center, radio room and an armed forces emergency services call center, complete with facilities for specialized teams and conference rooms, as well as briefing areas. On the ground floor, a blood collection facility occupies the east side. In the monumental stone atrium, audio-visual display screens provide up-to-date information about American Red Cross operations and projects. Also included on the ground floor is the main conference center with movable partitions, highlighted by Anigre wood veneer and Novawall finishes, as well as a full cafeteria.
The 2,500-square-foot telephone demarcation room is the hub of the organization’s telecommunications system. It is protected by preaction and FM-200 fire suppression systems in the ceiling and underneath the raised flooring. Lower levels of the building include the tele-data room, health centers, private wellness areas, fitness center with locker rooms and showers, wood shop, employee credit union and central mail facilities.
In March 2003, the project earned three craftsmanship awards from the Washington Building Congress for telecommunications, historic preservation and interior stone.
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