Page 24 - ArchitectureDC_Spring2015

Breaking the complex into multiple wings that step ecosystems. The top courtyard features rocks and trees
down the hillside followed master plan requirements to of the Piedmont; the center, grasses and bushes of the
maintain a low profile, but it also proved to be a synergistic alluvial plain; and the bottom a large pond with the
design move, especially in conjunction with the glazed grasses and reeds of a tidal marsh. Each associated
courtyard facades. Relative to a standard, monolithic building level has a coordinated accent color that appears
office building, multiple wings inherently allow for more in the open offices and shared-space pantry and copy
daylighting, views, and access to the outdoors for room nodes: rust at the top; green in the middle; and blue
employees; protect against progressive structural failure at the bottom.
in the event of a natural disaster or human-launched
attack; and make the experience of circulating through The formal entrance is at the top of the hillside, facing
the building engaging. They also provide a distinct sense the historic hospital campus. It is a semi-separate pavilion,
of identity to each of the various departments and sub- sized for visiting delegations, with generous light but
departments within the Coast Guard, while the abundant controlled views. Immediately beyond a security/reception
glass promotes visual communication between them. checkpoint, however, one enters the “Bridge,” a glassy
corridor. Analogous to the command center of a ship,
The architects started by determining the ideal building this bridge overlooks the roofs and courtyards of the
depth and column spacing to provide flexibility of use and entire headquarters complex, as well as the panorama of
ensure abundant natural light and views. They settled the city and the rivers. It’s easy for the Commandant to
on a 30-foot module. Lower levels are three modules (90 impress high-level visitors.
feet) deep, slimming via setbacks to two modules (60
feet) at the parapet level of most wings. Columns were Adjacent to the “Bridge” is a bank of glass elevators
carefully located to allow multiple types of office known as “Hatteras Light” which runs the entire height
arrangements—closed offices, cubicles, and shared-use of the complex. (Lighthouses are in the Coast Guard’s
spaces—to anticipate the inevitable future organizational purview, and the famous one at Cape Hatteras, North
shifts. In fact, during the period of design and construction, Carolina, is the tallest in the U.S.) The upper levels,
the Coast Guard underwent one such reorganization, above grade, where the elevators are in glass shafts, offer
causing a substantial reallocation of the interior spaces. the same stunning views outward, but when the elevators
“The design met its first test before it was even finished,” plunge below grade, into black concrete shafts, the focus
noted Lynn Goldfarb, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, who led shifts to the people in adjacent elevators and the cables,
Perkins+Will’s Washington team. counterweights, and other moving elements of the
elevators. At the very bottom, one is deep in the hillside,
The complex has three basic levels, each with a large and a long corridor, with a window providing (literally)
rooftop courtyard. The landscape architects, Andropogon a light the end of the tunnel, leads to the office spaces of
Associates, conceptualized them as three regional the LL9 level.

A courtyard with the “Bridge”
visible in the left background.

22 HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT