Perkins and Will propose an innovative and resilient office building in Southeast Washington, D.C, created to survive calamities and withstand natural disasters. The project reinvestigates the relationships between humans and nature.
Entitled “Revolution: Changing the Office Paradigm”, the project offers “power solutions in the event of an electric grid failure, clean water if water pressure fails, and construction that keeps the community dry in case of flooding”. The canopy, covered by photovoltaic panels, generates electricity and shade for the outside space. On another hand, the triangular floor plate project also recaptures rainwater in order to convert it to drinkable water.
The building includes penthouse event spaces, active public retail and is very close to mass transit. On another hand, the materials used in this sustainable intervention are heavy timber and carbon sequesting concrete, laminated timber beams and columns, and sustainable chemical-free finishes.
Built on 4 major pillars, the office building is efficient, sustainable, resilient and appealing. Actually, the efficiency is translated in its design, its structure and rethought and re-questioned systems. In fact, “the building brings industry and education together into a didactic living laboratory for learning and entrepreneurial innovation”. A series of combined strategies allow the reduction of energy usage and maximize efficiency in the workplace. Designed to be flexible and adaptable, the building also encourages a healthy lifestyle. The different types of spaces put in place a very positive, appealing and comfortable user experience. In the case of catastrophes, the building keeps its tenants safe, providing them with shelter. Finally, the project is net-zero carbon, net-zero water, net-zero waste, and net-zero energy.
Revolution: Changing the Office Paradigm
Architect’ Firm: Perkins and Will
Lead Architects: Ken Wilson, Carl Knutson, Armando Nazario, Rod Letonja, Keegan Wilson, Siyu Tian
Project Location: Unbuilt: Proposed for The Yards, Capital Riverfront in SE Washington, DC
Completion Year: Unbuilt
Gross Built Area: 250,000 square feet
