Bolling Federal Building

How can Federal buildings meet new security requirements and breathe new life to tired settings?

The Bolling Federal Building entrance pavilion and plaza successfully brings a mid-century building forward to meet the realities of our time. The design solution involved creating a plaza that was safe from threats while inviting to pedestrians through a series of landscape elements, including a reflecting pool that transitions the interior black terrazzo to the public realm by way of a thin reflecting pool. Pure white concrete was used for structure and final finish with integrated thermal barriers. The project won a 2004 GSA Design Excellence Award [i]: “What a dramatic first impression. The design beautifully orchestrates a subtle and elegant urban sequence into the building. The building integrates lighting, seating, security and shade to create a great public space. The intervention strikes an impressive balance between the building’s modernist roots and city’s urban tradition of engaging the street and public’ –jury comment

Project is by Thomas Knittel (Project Designer) and Dale Duncan (Project Manager) while at BNIM Architects.