Adaptive Use – GBR Architects

September 23, 2018

Milton North Campus Expansion

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School Washington, DC Originally constructed in 1950 and located on a steeply sloped site across from Rock Creek Park, the existing building had been home to the Jewish Day School since 2002. A primary driver for the project was expansion of the school’s academic program to include middle school. GBR’s design retained and renovated the original classroom wing on 16th Street N.W. The existing gymnasium and core areas were removed to allow for a properly sized and equipped gymnasium for middle school students; including a turf recreational field on the roof. The middle school (grades 6 through 8) occupies a new third floor level. A new classroom wing located on the north east edge of the site provides shared space for Art and Music classrooms. The renovation includes upgrades to all building systems and has been designed to achieve LEED® silver certification Contextually, the building aesthetics are intended to quietly...

September 18, 2018

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 The existing furniture and finishes were worn out, technology was outdated, and the room was not suited for high level meetings due to excessive noise from the adjacent Mechanical Penthouse.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...

September 17, 2018

by John W

Montgomery County Humane Society Campus

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Montgomery County Humane Society Aspen Hill, Maryland GBR Architects is currently working on the Master Plan and architectural design for the new Montgomery County Humane Society headquarters located in the historic Aspen Hill Memorial Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. The site includes two historic properties, listed with the Maryland Historic Trust. These existing buildings will be fully rehabilitated along with new buildings arranged around an open courtyard added to house additional programmatic elements. The new structures are modern in design using the vernacular aesthetic of rural Maryland while remaining respectful of the two existing historic buildings and their historic view shed. The new 16,000 sf headquarters will provide adoption, pet education and a community services clinic at the site. It will also be open for a number of community events and will also provide an inviting park accessible to the public. The historic pet cemetery will be fully restored with new interpretive paths...

September 14, 2018

by John W

Sheehy Theater Renovation

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Gonzaga College High School Washington, DC [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height="16px"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Originally constructed in 1896, this historic building has the distinction of being the longest, continually operating theater in Washington, DC. In fact, this major renovation project was completed within a nine-month construction time-frame to allow the continuous string of annual performances to remain intact. To respect the historic character of the space, the theater’s impressive proscenium arch and plaster ceiling detailing were carefully preserved while the space was completely gutted and all systems modernized. The comprehensive renovation included new HVAC, AV, theater lighting and rigging systems, improved acoustics, and updated finishes throughout. A new light and sound booth was inserted at the rear of the balcony and over 800 new seats were installed. On the exterior, the historic terra cotta and brick facade was rehabilitated. A new plaza, entry doors and lighting were added to give the theater a stronger presence on the campus.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

September 12, 2018

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]...

September 12, 2018

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...

September 10, 2018

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...

September 6, 2018

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...

September 6, 2018

by John W

St. Philip Catholic Church

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Diocese of Arlington Falls Church, Virginia Constructed in the 1960's, the space was originally designed to serve the dual functions of worship and school gymnasium. As its use evolved to become the permanent sanctuary, GBR was engaged to design a renovation to transform the existing space into one of serenity and peace with a richly layered, architecturally progressive character that creates a welcoming spiritual home for the congregation. As a visual reminder of the link between the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, all of the major liturgical elements in the renovated church are on axis. This begins with the ambry containing the holy oils; to the font in the baptistry; to the sanctuary and altar. The font at St. Philip was designed in the style of the early Church. In the center of the octagonal baptistry is a Greek cross with equidistant sides.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

September 6, 2018

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...

Archive

Milton North Campus Expansion

DOE Program Review Center

Montgomery County Humane Society Campus

Sheehy Theater Renovation

BJC Headquarters Renovation

Quaker Welcome Center

Embassy of the Republic of Hungary

Gonzaga Student Commons

St. Philip Catholic Church

Lab School Student Commons

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