OTJ Designs 64,000 Sq Ft Headquarters on Massachusetts Ave for The American Legacy Foundation and Achieves LEED Gold New Construction Status
Design Highlights: Research Facility, 100 Seat Theatre, Roof Garden, 1 of only 2 LEED Gold NC Certified Buildings in DC
OTJ worked with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) to move their offices from 1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW to a new location, so OTJ knew the building was vacant and available. The CFO of The American Legacy Foundation, Tony O'Toole, a long-time client of OTJ's called on a Friday and asked if OTJ could tour, program, and test-fit the building over the weekend, so that he could submit his offer to purchase the building the following week. The rest is history - Legacy is now headquartered at 1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, one of only two LEED Gold New Construction Certified Buildings in DC.
OTJ refined the programming to meet Legacy's goals. Well known for their truth campaign to prevent smoking, Legacy wanted a work environment that matched their healthy mission. For starters, they wanted a LEED Gold building that provided their staff with a green work environment.
As part of this goal, they wanted outdoor gathering spaces. So OTJ designed a first floor garden entry and gathering area on Massachusetts Avenue along with a green roof that has since been the location of many of their breakfast meetings. They also wanted their reception space to connect with a first floor reception area which led to the exterior garden meeting area. The conference room has a relationship with the outdoor meeting area, but also serves as a gateway to the 100 seat THX theatre. This allows Legacy to host an event outside, bring guests in and organize them, introducing them to the mission of Legacy and the conference room/meeting areas, and then lead them into the theatre for a movie presentation.
Other programming included:
- OTJ designed a secure parking facility, since Legacy wished for control over the full parking area for their building.
- The first floor included an outdoor gathering area, reception, theatre, fitness area and showers, catering ability, and rear loading dock where all supplies are brought into the building.
- The second floor hosts their lunch room & staff lounge, Communications department, and IT group, help desk, and server room, so that those services are centrally located.
- The third floor is the location of the Government Affairs & Development departments as well as the board room, President's office, and executive staff, which is housed in the middle of the building so that all staff have access to the foundation's leadership.
- The fifth floor houses the Finance department, HR, and Program Operations.
- On the seventh floor is the Steven A. Schroeder National Institute of Tobacco Research & Policy Studies.
The small floor plates were ideal for Legacy, so that the departments could have distinct zones and specialized work spaces to meet their needs. The internal stairs were also upgraded with carpet and lighting to encourage staff to walk all seven floors either up to the roof garden for fresh air or on their way back to the first floor garden meeting areas.
MORE INFO: The American Legacy Foundation_________________________________________________________
Meet the Team
Kevin Sneed, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP - PARTNER + DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURE
OTJ believes quality control is key on all projects. As a past president of the AIA Northern Virginia Chapter, Kevin is a regional expert in the field of interior commercial architecture. He's been a member of our OTJ team as director of architecture for the past five years, focused on the firm's quality control. Recently, he led our team of architects on the construction documents and the LEED certification process for the award-winning American Legacy Foundation project highlighted above.He trains our architects on the best industry standards for creating construction documents. We take great pride in the fact that our construction documents yield consistent pricing with general contractors. Kevin also trains our staff on complete coordination techniques with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural engineers, as well as all other potential vendors ranging from signage to audio visual. He ensures our architects are well versed in the code differences between the three primary jurisdictions in our region - Washington DC, Virginia, and Maryland.
Kevin recently served as a 2009 juror of AIA's Institute Honor Award for Interior Architecture and is also one of nine authors of Significant Interiors, an AIA published book featuring award-winning interior architecture in the US. To check it out, visit AIA's Online Bookstore and click on the Interiors book section.
MORE INFO: Kevin Sneed, AIA, IIDA, LEED AP
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On the Boards
Strayer University - OTJ Architects is currently assisting Strayer University in consolidating three locations into a new 104,000 sf headquarters in Virginia.
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March Madness
OTJ Architects celebrated the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament with over 50 attendees at OTJ's newly renovated office downtown.
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Did You Know?
Since 1994, OTJ Architects has grown from 6 to 68 employees! Learn more about our team here.
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Complimentary Needs Anaylsis
For those representing landlords and developers, OTJ can provide a Needs Analysis regarding BOMA Square Foot Calculations, a range of Capital Improvements from ADA bathrooms to lobbies, and/or LEED certification of buildings.
For those representing tenants, OTJ can provide a complimentary Analysis of Cost Effective Sustainable Initiatives. We will also provide Efficiency Studies for one of two reasons: 1) if your client wishes to add more staff to their existing space or 2) if they wish to consolidate into a portion of their existing space and sublease the balance.
If interested, contact Laura Knox, LEED AP, at 202-621-1303 or knox@otj.com.
MORE INFO: Efficient Office Space Utilization + Going Green with your Office Interior
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