Fentress Architects’ Military Headquarters Honored with Design Excellence Award

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 20, 2011)

—For their innovative design of the Russell-Knox Building in Quantico, Virginia, Fentress Architects has been honored with a 2011 Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) Mid-Atlantic Award. Completed in 2010, the government headquarters project successfully co-locates five U.S. Military Department Investigative Agencies. Page 2 of 3

Under an ambitious design-build schedule, the 719,000-square-foot building was designed and built in 30 months, completed on time and on budget. 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 working in 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’ advanced nature of work. The design meets all anti-terrorism/force protection requirements.

Sustainability | The Russell-Knox Building is pending LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The design’s sustainable goals, which target energy consumption and site conservation for the building’s high occupancy and large footprint, exceed the minimum requirements for LEED Silver. 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, the design team 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. Page 3 of 3

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 360 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.