Markets We Serve – GBR Architects

September 24, 2018

Dahlgren Chapel Renovation

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Georgetown University Washington, DC Award of Excellence in Historic Architecture, AIA Northern Virginia For more than a century, the Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart has been a place of worship, reflection and celebration for Georgetown University. Surrounded on three sides by Georgetown’s oldest buildings to form Dahlgren Quadrangle, it is not only one of the campus’s most iconic structures but also a historic local landmark. The chapel, constructed in 1893 in the style of 13th century English cathedrals, is the spiritual heart of the Georgetown community. In this sacred space, generations of students, faculty, staff and alumni have attended Mass, weddings, baptisms or simply stole a quiet moment of reflection. Therefore, preservation of its architectural character was a top priority. The University needed to update the space, but the renovated space still needed to feel like home. This preservation project included renovation of the chapel interior and improvements to the exterior quadrangle. The interior...

September 23, 2018

by John W

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 22, 2018

by natasha

Riverside Baptist Church

23[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Riverside Baptist Church Washington, DC The new Riverside Baptist Church replaces the church’s third location in the city. A longstanding institution of DC’s Southwest neighborhood the new church remains a centerpiece of a reimagined waterfront district. Strategically located at a major gateway into the SW neighborhood it will provide a link to the redeveloping waterfront. This location delivers a primary project objective to achieve a significant and expressive structure. The overall building form clearly expresses the three elements of a place of worship; a visible entrance, its identity as a church and clarity in the presence of a worship space. The transparent corner at 7th Street and Maine Avenue visually connects to The Wharf development. The bell tower, a clear and common reference to a Christian church, anchors the corner and is topped by another symbol and identity reference, a cross. The worship space is represented by a wall of glass formed to...

September 21, 2018

by sean

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 19, 2018

by sean

Oakwood School Expansion Planning

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Oakwood School Annandale, Virginia Occupying a former church building since 1981, the Oakwood School needed to better utilize its existing space and transform its exterior appearance to better reflect its educational mission. In line with their strategic goal to provide an optimal educational environment that enhances the school’s multisensory teaching approach, GBR developed a phased plan to renovate and expand the campus of this independent school for students with learning differences. To initiate this process, GBR led a series of stakeholder engagement sessions to gain input from faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni. The results of this engagement effort led to development of the long-term space needs required to support the school’s unique team model concept that requires space for homeroom, break-outs and team teaching. The resulting plan was carefully developed along with a phasing approach to allow the work to be done over time while the school remains in operation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]...

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 16, 2018

by John W

U.S. FDA Headquarters Master Plan

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] United States Food and Drug Administration, Federal Research Center Silver Spring, Maryland The new Master Plan will provide a guide for development to accommodate a total of 18,000 FDA employees and support staff at the 130-acre FDA Headquarters at the Federal Research Center (FRC) in Silver Spring, Maryland. The plan will steer the planning, design, and construction of new buildings; improvements to roadways, utilities, and other infrastructure; and the protection of natural areas. Preceding the Master Plan, a Land Use Feasibility Study was prepared that studied multiple development strategies within the FRC and a Draft Master Plan that developed three Master Plan Alternatives. The purpose of the plan is to support consolidation of FDA employees and projected growth at the headquarters campus. The implementation of the Master Plan includes development of an additional 1,550,000 GSF of office space and 280,000 to 350,000 GSF of special use space to support FDA’s mission. Anticipating the...

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]...

Archive

Dahlgren Chapel Renovation

Milton North Campus Expansion

Riverside Baptist Church

Gonzaga Stadium & Eye Street Plaza

Oakwood School Expansion Planning

DOE Program Review Center

Montgomery County Humane Society Campus

U.S. FDA Headquarters Master Plan

Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Sheehy Theater Renovation

Address

Contact

Follow Us