American University Historic Law School Achieves LEED Gold

Project description

AU Historic Law School Achieves LEED Gold: Natural Rainscreen Systems
The 312,000 square-foot-facility, American University Washington College of Law, was designed to meet the needs of modern-law students while honoring the legacy of its historic site. Capital Hall designed in 1904 and the Chapel designed in 1921 contributed to its historic character.

The 13-story concrete building includes 171 units and three levels of below grade parking. The project was developed concurrently and adjacent to a 10-story office project to the north. The residential and office buildings were built as two separate buildings and share a single lot area.

PCC assisted Whiting-Turner and SmithGroup JJR by providing the design, engineering and installation for glass, glazing and aluminum panels. The project scope included 45,00 SF of custom curtain wall and punch windows, 65,000 SF of aluminum and zinc composite paneling, skylights, fire rated windows, storefronts, aluminum doors, art glass, mirrors, and interior aluminum partitions. The interior contains glass-walled training courtrooms adjacent to the atrium/café to display learning activities. The Yuma and Warren Buildings contain large glass-enclosed stairs for transparency.

The sculptural skylights at the quadrangle terrace illuminate the courtyard at night and allow natural light to spill into the law school common space below. The massing and facades of the new buildings relate to the neighboring scale and context and provide transparency to the activities within. The façade along the Yuma Building was reduced to scale with smaller openings to conform with the character of the neighborhood, while the facades in the main courtyard are more open to maximize visual connection between interior and exterior spaces.

The use of natural building materials: limestone, brick and zinc contributed to the success of meeting a LEED Gold certification.  The following sustainability goals were met:

• Panelized natural zinc and variegated limestone rainscreen systems lend a light appearance to the facade and help break down the scale of the buildings.
• Architectural frame elements are paired with limestone volumes to signify facades.
• South façade at the courtyard was treated with an integrated sun shading system.

PCC delivered a forward-thinking design and quality installation to meet the needs of a historic, yet modern building on-time and within budget.

For additional information on this project download the brochure. https://tenley.wcl.american.edu/pressroom/building-tour-brochure/