Washington, DC

2100 K Street NW

Scope/Solutions

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) needed more space to house their growing workforce and expanded their global headquarters building at 2100 K Street NW with a new nine-story addition. Architecturally different from the precast concrete, limestone, and punched window facade of the existing building designed by Michael Graves, the addition features a new all-glass curtain wall with exterior terra cotta baguettes and vertical glass fins. SGH consulted on the building enclosure design.

SGH consulted on the design of the building enclosure systems, including below-grade and plaza waterproofing, expansion joints, exterior cavity walls with stone masonry and metal panel cladding, custom unitized aluminum-framed and point-supported structural glass curtain walls, and a variety of roofing assemblies. Highlights of our work include the following:

  • Reviewing the building enclosure design for airtightness, watertightness, thermal performance, condensation resistance, and constructability
  • Assisting with the curtain wall design, including consulting on connection details for glass fins and terra cotta projections, developing details to integrate the curtain walls with adjacent construction, and helping the project team achieve the desired performance and architectural aesthetic
  • Consulting on complex edge-of-slab firesafing details
  • Optimizing roof drain locations based on the structure’s deflection
  • Developing expansion joint details to maintain watertightness between existing and new construction below and above grade
  • Observing factory production and quality control processes for insulating glass units and curtain walls
  • Developing the testing plan for the facade and witnessing laboratory testing of curtain wall mockups to evaluate performance
  • Providing construction phase services, including reviewing contractor submittals, responding to requests for information, observing ongoing construction, and helping the project team address challenging and unforeseen field conditions

Project Summary

Icon: completion-date

2019

Completion Date
Icon: building-size

156K (addition)

Project Size
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Building Enclosures
Markets
Commercial
Client(s)
Shalom Barnes Associates
Specialized Capabilities
Facades & Glazing | Roofing & Waterproofing

Key team members

Bradford Carpenter
Senior Principal
John Jackson
Associate Principal

Additional Projects

Mid-Atlantic

The Stacks

Akridge, along with National Real Estate Advisors, is developing The Stacks, a multibuilding, mixed-use property at Buzzard Point in Southwest DC. SGH consulted on the building enclosure and performed a structural peer review for Phase 1, including three residential towers and a below-grade podium.
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Mid-Atlantic

The Mills Building

Located at 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, the Mills Building sits in close proximity to the White House in the heart of the nation's capitol. SGH consulted on the building enclosure design for the project.
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