The Department of Transportation headquarters, the first new executive cabinet-level office building in a quarter century, consolidated 5,500 employees in one location. Workplace quality and flexibility became guiding principles for employee wellness and satisfaction as well as operational efficiency. The U-shaped layout wraps a sky-lighted atrium that links the two buildings and maximizes daylight to office floors. By placing conference rooms and other shared functions adjacent to connecting stairs between floors, we encouraged employee interaction and flexibility for departments to grow or shrink over time.
The result of a public-private partnership, the project catalyzed redevelopment of the former Navy Yard into a burgeoning business district. The main entrance on New Jersey Avenue within view of the Capitol is clad in marble whereas the brick facades of the rest of the building respond to commercial buildings on M Street and the industrial remains of the Navy Yard. Tree-lined pedestrian boulevards and an art program humanize the mandated security setbacks so that they blend in with the rest of the city.
