Building Interiors: ASLA Recognized by AIA Virginia
Image courtesy of ASLA
The ASLA Center for Landscape Architecture in Washington DC was recently recognized by AIA Virginia's 2020 Awards for Excellence in Architecture. The project, completed in 2017, won a merit award in the interior design category. Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC) worked with renowned architecture firm Gensler to revamp ASLA’s headquarters.
Out of 180 total submissions, ASLA was just one of the 33 to be recognized for an award. The jury was "impressed by the spirit of landscape carried throughout the building, from the handling of beacon signage focusing on green vegetation at the exterior to the careful handling of rainwater-harvesting and irrigation on the roof."
A Job WELL Done
Image courtesy of ASLA
The building has been recognized for more than its aesthetics; it has received widespread praise for its environmentally friendly design. In 2018, it was presented the Award of Excellence for Best Sustainable Project from NAIOP DC|MD. It achieved LEED Platinum certification in 2019 through the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and ranked #6 on CP Executive's 2020 list of Top 10 LEED-Certified Buildings in Washington, DC.
The renovation also took employees’ health and safety into account. ASLA achieved WELL silver certification through the International WELL Building Institute’s WELL standard. WELL, according to its website, is a “performance-based system for measuring, certifying, and monitoring features of the built environment that impact human health and well-being, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.”
Building Smart
ASLA’s old office space was compact and dark. A skylight was added to the existing green roof, allowing light to filter from the roof to the ground floor. WELL encourages cool blue lighting to maximize productivity, so blue orbs illuminate workspaces from overhead at a 45-degree angle. This matches the natural progression of the morning sun and works to normalize staff members’ circadian rhythms.
The renovation accommodated new offices, reception area, kitchenette, conference rooms, and modernized MEP systems. Other aspects of the renovation included a new storefront, several staircases, and updated entrances/exits.
Image courtesy of ASLA
About ASLA
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is a professional organization comprised of landscape architects in the United States. Its mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education, and fellowship.
