PROJECT NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan

LOCATION  Gaithersburg, Maryland US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  5/1/2018

ARCHITECT Metropolitan Architects and Planners, Inc.

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT  no

OWNER/CLIENT US Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology

CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  n/a

PHOTOGRAPHER  David Revak

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Devpal S. Duggal, Susan Drew, Debargha Sengupta, Scott Keller, Sanjay Arora, James Boncore, Sheri Holthouse, Giang Nguyen, Cuong Trinh

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), founded in 1901 as the National Bureau of Standards, is a Federal agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST’s mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology to support and enhance commerce and economic security.

The NIST Gaithersburg campus is a beautiful setting, featuring a rolling terrain dotted with trees and wooded areas. There are 62 buildings and structures, totaling over 3.6 million gross square feet and housing approximately 4,000 personnel. Approximately half of the permanent buildings are now more than 50 years old, although two significant facilities were built in the last 20 years. The entire 579-acre Gaithersburg campus was recently (2016) determined eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District because of its significance to the history of science and, notably, its striking architectural design. Within the historic district, 24 contributing structures were identified along with the campus landscape and parking.

Measurement science and research are the heart and business of NIST, and the Master Plan focuses on research facilities. NIST’s mission, research methods and technology have evolved since the campus establishment in the 1960s, and this advanced research requires more sophisticated, flexible buildings. The plan provides for the modernization of aging, inefficient buildings and accommodates anticipated growth in research programs over the next 20 years. Approximately 1.4 million gross square feet of new facilities will be added and 15 buildings will be renovated.

The central concept for the Master Plan respects the historic designation and reinforces the original campus plan, adapting the original buildings to modern needs. New buildings are concentrated in the historic core, respecting the linear pattern of the original plan, and linking into an interior pedestrian concourse network. The configuration emphasizes collaboration opportunities, sharing resources, utility efficiency and flexible phasing.

NIST supports public programs and scientific conferences, and the conference center will be expanded and more efficient visitor screening facilities added at the gates. The Plan also enhances campus security by relocating deliveries to the campus edge. Historic landscape features are preserved, while improving stormwater management adding trails and animating courtyards. Reforestation is extended and meadows replace lawn. Sustainable design strategies build upon existing programs—water and energy conservation, renewable energy, LEED certification and net-zero energy goals.

Shaped in concert with two NIST advisory committees, staff and public input, and consultations with the City of Gaithersburg, the Maryland Historical Trust and the National Capital Planning Commission, the Master Plan is a framework for accomplishing NIST’s goals of maintaining the attractive campus, providing appropriate facilities and infrastructure for scientific research, improving security, respecting and embracing the campus as a historic district, and advancing sustainable practices.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS

IMAGE 1  NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan

IMAGE 2  NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan

IMAGE 3  NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan, Existing Campus. Illustrated by David Revak, Choraworks

IMAGE 4  NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan. Illustrated by David Revak, Choraworks

IMAGE 5  NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan, Sustainable Design

IMAGE 6  NIST Gaithersburg Campus Master Plan, Conference Center and Building 101. Photo by Debargha Sengupta

IMAGE 7  

IMAGE 8