Profile

American Association for the Advancement of Science

Washington, D.C.
Completed 1996

Lead Designer: Henry N. Cobb

National headquarters and investment office building
 

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This project was required to fulfill two contradictory requirements: a) to serve as the headquarters of AAAS, conveying its special needs and mission and b) to serve as a flexible investment office building which could be sold profitably should AAAS relocate.

The building reinforces the universality of science through a rigorous procedural rationale yielding certain fundamental tenets. Most important is the building's bisection along a diagonal line leading to/from Washington's busiest Metro stop. Most people approach AAAS not toward its prow on prestigious New York Avenue but along a natural desire line angling from the subway to the building's "back." The location of the larger entrance was thus determined. Every other design feature evolved in relationship to this oblique spine.

The unique, and highly marketable, presence of AAAS is further augmented by its advanced resource conservation systems. AAAS consumes nearly 50% less energy than a typical commercial building of similar size. Its innovative lighting system also reduces energy costs dramatically. Above the windows a continuous glazed band captures daylight and reflects it into the interior for optimum illumination that electronic sensors monitor and artificially supplement only as necessary. Without departing from the basic economic constraints of investment building, AAAS not only addresses corporate needs but does so in an environmentally responsible fashion. In 2009, AAAS was awarded the first LEED Gold certification by the United States Green Building Council for an existing building in Washington D.C.

Major Components

160,000 s/f office space on 10 floors; public lobby with exhibition space and bookstore; teachers' laboratory/classroom; 180-seat auditorium; meeting rooms; library; boardroom; AAAS lounge; 11th floor staff cafeteria with outdoor terrace; 2-level underground garage for 83 cars

Awards

Pei Cobb Freed & Partners services

Architectural design; Interior Design of public interiors, auditorium and exterior envelope; coordination with associate architect on construction documents and construction administration

Associate Architect

Davis & Carter, McLean, VA

Structural

KCE Structural Engineering, Washington, D.C.

Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing / Elevators / Lighting

Jaros Baum & Bolles, New York, NY

Foundations support system

Mueser Rutledge, New York, NY

Environmental consultant

Croxton Collaborative, New York, NY

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