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ArchDC Fall 2017.qxp_Fall 2017 8/10/17 1:06 PM Page 25

With its extensive use of glass, one might think the [at 627 I Street], and to move two other row houses [at
building is an energy hog, but that’s not the case. “Several 621 and 623 I Street] to the east end of the block, where
strategies allowed the use of the glass,” Martin said. “The they could reinforce the existing row houses there.”
orientation of the Massachusetts Avenue side is just east Even more challenging, he added, “was to create,
of north, so it has very little solar gain. On the south side, out of all these regulatory restraints, a cohesive piece of
the glass wall has a system of sunshades, using fritted architecture.” To accomplish that, “we worked the design
glass to cut down on solar gain. The glass itself [from out in massing models first, taking advantage of one
Viracon] is a high-performance insulated glass unit and unique aspect of the site: the amount of space allowed
the curtain wall structure has an integral thermal break.” under the zoning was considerably less than what could
The glass on the south side has a special coating and a have been built within the height limits, so we didn’t
slightly grey tint to reduce solar gain, while the glass on have to create a box.” The site’s complex shape “worked
the north side has a slightly different coating and a clearer to create floors with lots of window wall. Despite all of
tint. The building’s numerous sustainable design features the complexities and hurdles we faced working on this
earned it a LEED Platinum certification—the highest site, I feel that we did create a cohesive architectural
possible LEED certification. design that has both its own integrity and reinforces the
Although it is a new building, 600 Massachusetts has surrounding context.”
a long history—Martin drew the first sketches for the Working on this site, Martin said, “reinforced my
project for developer Gould in 1981. “I first sketched an view that the DC zoning code normally has an almost
office building fronting on Massachusetts Avenue,” Martin one-to-one correlation between the envelope allowed and
said. “As the developer acquired lots facing I Street, we the number of square feet allowed. The result is basically
explored a two-building solution. Some elements of the a series of boxes. I support the height limit in general, but
current design began to appear in the early schemes—the I would suggest increasing the allowable height by one
height on Massachusetts Avenue, and how a new office floor—but not increasing the FAR [floor area ratio—the
building would meet the historic I Street.” ratio of a building's total floor area to the size of the site
The new building at 600 Massachusetts “is one of the upon which it is built]. This will give designers greater
most challenging projects that I have worked on,” Martin flexibility to shape the buildings and possibly create public
said. “The site was in two different zoning districts. We had space on site.”
to get approval from the Office of Planning, the Historic In Washington, he added, “with the increasing layers
Preservation Review Board (because the south half was in of civic and governmental review, architects must fight for
the downtown historic district), the Chinatown Steering excellence and avoid the easy compromise in the design
Committee (because the entire site was within the of buildings. I do feel that design can have complexity
boundaries of the Chinatown District), and the City with integrity. All of that said, the quality of design in
Council, which had to rule on an alley closing. We also Washington office buildings has definitely improved over
went before the Mayor’s Agent [for historic preservation] the years. There is much more awareness of amenities
to get permission to remove a much-modified townhouse and light.”

Main entrance off Massachusetts Avenue.

EVERY STORY HAS TWO SIDES 25