Page 46 - ArchDC_Fall 2020

Offices of Whitman-Walker Health. Photo © Eric Laignel Photography

Citation for Design & Well-Being
Whitman-Walker Health,
Elizabeth Taylor Center

Washington, DC
Perkins&Will

MEP Engineers: Integral Group Reception area. Photo © Eric Laignel Photography
Lighting Consultant: Patricia Kazinski
Furniture Dealer: QWRK Collective Environments LLC Large panels of dichroic glass in the lobby area are one way
General Contractor: James G. Davis Construction Corporation the architects introduced dynamic color into the office. Dichroic
glass is a composite, partly reflective glass that displays shifting
While the primary medical facility of Whitman-Walker colors as light moves across it, literally bathing the space in a
Health has moved a couple of blocks down 14th Street, the constantly changing rainbow. Elsewhere in the office, recurring
organization’s administrative offices are housed at Liz. Some narrow panels of red glass are meant to evoke the AIDS
forty employees including the research, administrative, and awareness ribbons, reminding occupants of the fight against
legal teams work in 28,000 square feet on the second floor HIV/AIDS and of community solidarity. Colorful furnishings
that extends across both the historic buildings and the new and large graphics honoring activists and events in the history
construction of Liz. To design their office space, the nonprofit of the campaign against HIV/AIDS further enliven the office.
turned to Perkins&Will, the same firm that designed its new The beauty of the office design is not just skin deep.
medical facility. David Cordell, ASID, LEED AP, WELL AP, is Because many in Whitman-Walker’s patient population have
an associate principal at Perkins&Will and lead designer on the compromised immune systems, great care was taken in the
project. “Whitman-Walker’s goal is to erase the stigma of HIV selection of materials. Cordell reported that his team rigorously
and create a space where patients are treated with dignity and studied materials to eliminate any concerning chemicals and
respect,” said Cordell. “We sought to express that goal through introduced ultraviolet treatments for water and mechanical
finishes and color.” systems to inhibit bacterial growth.
44 HOMAGE TO A COMPASSIONATE STAR