Civic/Cultural – GBR Architects

September 21, 2018

Gonzaga Stadium & Eye Street Plaza

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Gonzaga College High School Washington, DC As the oldest all-boys school in Washington, DC, Gonzaga College High School is proud of its rich history and maintains a deep commitment to its inner-city location. The school’s iconic main façade fronts the first block of I Street, NW. Years ago, the school had acquired the street from the city to use as parking and service access. Facing a series of concerns common for an urban campus – outdoor space for students, athletic fields, appropriate parking, and perimeter security, the school recognized the need to reimagine and redevelop Eye Street along with its football field to create a new campus front door and arrival sequence. The challenge was to resolve these issues while enhancing Gonzaga’s strong sense of tradition. The solution creates a new 1,300-person stadium facility above a 300 car below-grade parking garage. This allowed for redevelopment of Eye Street into a student-focused pedestrian mall. The...

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 15, 2018

by John W

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Federal Republic of Germany Washington, DC The German Embassy in Washington has undergone a comprehensive, multiple building renovation that includes the architecturally significant Chancery and Consular buildings designed by German architect Egon Eiermann in the 1960’s. Recognized as landmark historic buildings, both for their architectural quality and their political significance. Primary project goals for the renovation were the removal of hazardous materials, upgrades for life-safety and security, and integration of high-performance building systems for heating, cooling and lighting while respecting the original exterior and interior design of this mid-century icon. Sustainable design features include a grey water system, radiant heating and cooling, a central plant with cogeneration, photovoltaic panels, and LED lighting throughout. As the U.S. partner in support of HPP Architekten GmbH, GBR Architects coordinated the design requirements of the German Government and the German architects with the regulations of the U.S. Department of State and local governing agencies. GBR’s services included preparation...

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

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 12, 2018

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...

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...

Archive

Gonzaga Stadium & Eye Street Plaza

Montgomery County Humane Society Campus

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Sheehy Theater Renovation

Quaker Welcome Center

Kresge Auditorium and Pavilion

Embassy of the Republic of Hungary

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