Sustainability Excellence Earns Fentress-Designed Military Headquarters LEED Gold

Washington, D.C. (June 13, 2012) —For excellence in sustainable design features, the Russell-Knox Building in Quantico, Virginia, has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Designed by Fentress Architects, the government headquarters project successfully co-locates five U.S. Military Department Investigative Agencies.

The design’s sustainability goals, which target energy consumption and site conservation, exceeded the project’s minimum requirements for LEED Silver in order to achieve LEED Gold. Architectural, lighting and HVAC systems were designed to achieve an energy cost savings of more than 25 percent above ASHRAE 90.1-2004.

To lessen the building’s environmental impact, Fentress Architects selected zero-irrigation plant species and more than 85 percent native trees. Seven acres of land were reforested and site disturbance was minimized, resulting in 55 percent of the site designated open space, more than twice LEED’s required amount. These sustainable practices yielded a LEED Exemplary Performance Credit for site initiatives.

Fast Track Schedule | Completed on time and under budget, Fentress’ goal with all its projects, the 719,000-square-foot building was designed and built in only 30 months. Commissioned by the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Washington as a component of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) plan, the project relocated approximately 2,640 full-time government jobs to Quantico, Va.

The five military agencies consist of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Headquarters Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), Headquarters Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), Headquarters Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID) and the Defense Security Service (DSS). In addition to a state-of-the-art, 12,000-square-foot Data Center, all agencies have access to the Collaboration Center for training sessions, a dining hall, wellness center and retail convenience store.

High-Tech, Flexible Office Space | The challenge of the complex building program was to co-locate five separate military investigative agencies in a single facility while maintaining a strong identity for each agency. In addition, the design team had to accommodate each organization’s strict set of classifications, security and technology requirements. Designed to easily adapt to changes within an office environment, the highly efficient space plan features raised-floor systems for data/power cabling, flexible meeting rooms, modular walls and systems furniture. Cutting-edge technologies,

security systems and redundant back-up systems support the occupants’ complex, highly-technical work. The design meets all anti-terrorism/force protection requirements.

The $365,000,000 project was a design-build collaboration between Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and Fentress Architects.

Fentress Architects is a global design firm that passionately pursues the creation of sustainable and iconic architecture. Together with their clients, Fentress creates inspired design to improve the human environment. Founded by Curtis Fentress in 1980, the firm has designed US$26 billion of architectural projects worldwide, visited by over 300 million people each year. Fentress is a dynamic learning organization, driven to grow its ability to design, innovate and exceed client expectations. The firm has been honored with more than 385 distinctions for design excellence and innovation, and in 2010, Curtis Fentress was recognized by the American Institute of Architects with the most prestigious award for public architecture, the Thomas Jefferson Award. Fentress has studios in Denver, Colorado; Los Angeles, California; San Jose, California; Washington, D.C.; and London, U.K. www.fentressarchitects.com

Please contact Angela Potrykus at 303.282.6192 or potrykus@fentressarchitects.com for more information or images.