National Academy of Science Historic Office Rehabilitation

Over the previous nine decades, this building had been well maintained but the systems were at the end of their respective life cycles and no longer energy efficient. Joint venture partners Christman and Gilbane Building Company were hired to restore and update the landmark with sustainable sensibilities including photovoltaic systems, rainwater retention and increased energy performance.

Some of the unique challenges of the project included replacing hundreds of feet of underground utilities between the NAS and the State Department building immediately adjacent which required intensive coordination with the US Secret Service; the infill of the historic courtyards which required complex structural and building envelope detailing to marry the new construction with the historic in a durable way; the complicated disassembly, restoration, and reinstallation of significant amounts of historic millwork; and most significantly, installing a completely new mechanical system with sensitivity toward and protection of the historic fabric of the building.