PROJECT Howard Hughes Medical Institute Headquarters Expansion
LOCATION Chevy Chase, ,
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 6/1/2010
ARCHITECT Bowie Gridley Architects
ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT
OWNER/CLIENT Howard Huges Medical Institute
CONTRACTOR Clark Construction Group, Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHER Prakash Pratel
DESIGN TEAM Calvert S. Bowie, AIA, Principal-in-charge, Jonathan Rodvien, AIA, Project Manager
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:
Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a philanthropic organization known worldwide for its focus on biomedical research and scientific outreach. The institute’s existing headquarters in Chevy Chase, Maryland is a village of quiet offices in largely single-loaded corridors where major departments were segregated by protracted circulation. Its layout reinforced seclusion to the detriment of the organization’s mission. HHMI desired an expansion to their headquarters that would create and foster collaboration among the major program divisions and the staff within them. An engaged programming process served as a catalyst for reorganizing HHMI’s program divisions and identifying opportunities where the building’s design could positively impact the institute’s working culture. The program spaces in the expansion feature multiple work groups— clusters of offices around a central collaboration space—that are stacked on two floors and thoughtfully placed to create adjacencies between related program teams to promote intellectual cross-pollination. Multiple naturally-lit stairs connect the floors encouraging people to easily circulate within the building, futher reinforcing interaction among the program divisions. The expansion grows from the original facility following two natural grid patterns that are resolved at a new atrium. The atrium anchors the west side of the complex and acts as a central terminus vertically connecting the below-grade parking garage to the two levels of program space above, opening into the new library and lecture hall, and linking a new corridor that leads to the existing facility. The finished expansion unites scientists, grant administrators and communications teams within a spacious environment that promotes meaningful collaboration through interaction. The pitched slate roofs, gabled brick walls, and limestone and cut stone details of the existing facility are reinterpreted in the expansion providing a respectful contrast that is contextually appropriate.Cut stone on the expansion’s exterior carries indoors creating an organic, elegant interior palette that is punctuated by inventive design elements representing abstract scientific forms and patterns. Meanwhile the expansion’s work groups are brightened with abundant natural light from oversized windows and a clever, contextually-designed stone masonry daylight harvesting and solar shading system. This innovative system, along with numerous curtain walls, light wells, and open-air meeting spaces allow an extraordinary amount of natural light to permeate the interior of the expansion, contributing to its LEED Gold certification while also creating inviting spaces for staff to realize the mission of the institute.
IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS
IMAGE 1 Exterior View of Howard Hughes Medical Institute Expansion. Prakash Pratel Photography
IMAGE 2 The client encouraged a much more contemporary interior expression in contrast to the darker interior palette of the existing facility. Prakash Pratel Photography
IMAGE 3 From the central space, HHMI staff have access to the library and to a linking corridor which connects to the existing building. Prakash Pratel Photography
IMAGE 4 The connecting link provides space for casual seating and conversation, as well as views to the newly created courtyard. Prakash Pratel Photography
IMAGE 5 The expansion of HHMI’s headquarters is an organic extension of the original building and a reflection of the new working culture and spirit of the organization. Prakash Pratel Photography
IMAGE 6 An open central area greets each employee in the morning and includes amenities to encourage staff to connect on a more casual level before going to their office. Prakash Pratel Photography
IMAGE 7 Exterior Dining Space. Prakash Pratel Photography
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Headquarters Expansion
Category
AIA Maryland > Institutional Architecture (AIA Maryland)
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