From CoStar...

GSA Renews, Northrop Grumman Signs in SW DC

CIM's 370 L’Enfant Promenade Reaches 100% Occupancy

Two tenants leased a total of 191,434 square feet in the office building at 370 L'Enfant Promenade SW in Washington, DC. With the two deals, the building has reached full occupancy. The General Services Administration (GSA) renewed its 185,120-square-foot lease for the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, defense contractor Northrop Grumman leased 6,314 square feet. The 10-story, 400,215-square-foot office building was built in 1987 and is part of the Southwest submarket. CIM Group owns the building. Chau Leung of CB Richard Ellis represented Northrop Grumman. Jenny Lee and Joe Judge of Jones Lang LaSalle represented the GSA. David Bevirt, Tom Golsen, and Carroll Cavanagh of Jones Lang LaSalle represented the landlord in the Northrop deal, while David Alperstein of FD Partners represented CIM in the GSA deal.

Source: http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=2EAF8006F7383B917E98178560D54BC5&ref=100&iid=166&cid=A6724F8C401422B891D6863D9B6B9374

rand* hires Roberta Liss

Photo of the Week Presented by Infinity Pix

Please enjoy this gorgeous photo of an ancient castle in northeast England provided to us from Leslie at Infinity Photography. For more information, or to include something like this on one of your upcoming projects visitwww.infinitypix.com.

GGA Becomes First Design Firm in DC to Receive LEED Platinum Certification for Its Office

Designated as One of Six Design Firms Nationally for Platinum LEED CI 2.0

Group Goetz Architects (GGA) announced that it has been awarded LEED Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for the design of its corporate offices at 2900 K Street in Washington DC's Georgetown neighborhood.

To establish its continued commitment to green building, GGA's design compliments the evolving culture of the American workplace. The new, 16,000 SF office has a completely open floor plan zoned by a "main boulevard", which runs the full length of the office. This spine separates a high-tech conference center, library and employee lounge from the firm's design studio. The studio contains spacious communal workspaces for both executives and staff that encourage employee communication and peer relationship building. The firm's employees enjoy the benefit of 100% natural light penetration as well as day light controlled lighting and individual temperature controls. The open layout and glass exterior also lower energy consumption by reducing the need for artificial and engineered lighting. To improve accessibility to alternative transportation, GGA employees enjoy access to metro, car sharing, shuttle service and bike racks. Staff also have access to a state of the art health club facility and subsidized health food vending machines.

"LEED Platinum certification further demonstrates our commitment to sustainable environments for our employees and clients alike," said Lewis J. Goetz, FAIA, FIIDA, president and CEO, Group Goetz Architects. "We are proud to lead this charge and encourage others to improve their social, ecological and financial performance by greening their spaces."

Source: http://www.dexigner.com/design_news/gga-becomes-first-design-firm-in-dc-to-receive-leed-platinum.html

From the Washington Post....

This MLK holiday, work has begun on memorial in DC

FILE - This file illustration originally released by the Martin Luther King National Memorial Project Foundation shows a partial rendering of the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial which will be located on the Tidal Basin between the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials in Washington. Media conglomerate Viacom Inc., which owns BET and MTV, announced a donation Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2007, valued at $1.5 million in cash and promotions to help build the memorial on the National Mall. (AP Photo/Martin Luther King National Memorial Project Foundation, File) NO SALES (AP)

By BRETT ZONGKER

The Associated Press Friday, January 15, 2010; 5:49 PM

WASHINGTON -- Construction is finally under way on the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall after more than a dozen years of planning, fundraising and legal wrangling.

Workers have been clearing the site on the Tidal Basin since Dec. 28. They will move some trees to another part of the mall, including a few of Washington's famous cherry trees. By February, heavy construction will begin.

Monday will mark the first King holiday, though, when organizers can finally see their work in progress.

"Everyone in the office is taking a deep breath," executive architect Ed Jackson Jr. said in an interview Friday. "Although it's been a labor of love, it's been a long road, 13 years for me."

It was supposed to be completed by now. President Bill Clinton signed a law authorizing the memorial in 1996, and President George W. Bush appeared at a ceremonial groundbreaking with Oprah Winfrey and others in 2006.

Numerous design approvals and a disagreement with the National Park Service over how to secure the site against domestic terrorism delayed the project.

"We had no idea it would take this long," Jackson said. Still, he said, the years of work will pay off as millions of visitors will eventually see King's words engraved in stone.

"Although it has been a long road, I am extremely fortunate to have an opportunity to be a part of it," Jackson said. "Obviously, I feel blessed.

The private foundation working to build the memorial is still raising money to complete it. To date, $108 million of the $120 million needed has been raised, spokeswoman Rica Orszag said.

In recent months, the Boeing Co. has been running television ads promoting the project. The group also is accepting $5 donations through a text message campaign.

Major infrastructure work will begin in February. It will take seven months to drive 300 concrete piles into the ground to support the granite memorial plaza and towering statue of King, Jackson said.

After that, the memorial will begin to slowly take shape.

The 28-foot "Stone of Hope" and "Mountain of Despair" sculptures will arrive in more than 150 pieces by May from China, where they were created. Sculptor Lei Yixin is scheduled to assemble the pieces between August and October.

A construction fence has been built around the site, but some places will be left open for visitors to see the progress.

In the final phase of construction, King's famous quotations will be engraved in granite along the water where memorials also honor Presidents Thomas Jefferson and Franklin D. Roosevelt. More than 200 cherry trees with their pink and white blossoms will be planted around the memorial.

A dedication and opening is expected in the fall of 2011.

---

On the Net:

Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation:http://www.mlkmemorial.org/

Coop Himmelb(l)au Presents Energy Roof in Perugia

Wolf D. Prix, Design Principal and CEO of Coop Himmelb(l)au presented the design for the Energy Roof in Perugia, Italy, today. Energy Roof is part of the research project "Walking through the History" of the University of Perugia. Beside the archaeological study this research comprised also the creation of an architectural icon. Energy Roof serves as canopy along Via Mazzini in the center of Perugia and at the same time creates the entry point to the archaeological underground passage leading through the history of Perugia. The passage connects the city center with the mini metro station Pincetto. Historical documents show the existence of the old Etruscan city wall in the area below Piazza Giacomo Matteotti which Coop Himmelb(l)au proposes to excavate as part of an underground public gallery space exhibiting the history of Perugia. Openings in the ground of the Piazza Giacomo Matteotti visually connect the underground passage with the Energy Roof. Coop Himmelb(l)au developed the design of the roof with the goal to generate energy for the city. While the orientation of the west wing is optimized in relation to solar radiation, the east wing captures wind. The roof consists of three layers: the energy generating top layer, the structural layer in the middle and a layer on the bottom as a combination of laminated glazing and translucent pneumatic cushions. The top layer includes transparent photovoltaic cells to generate electricity and shade the sun. The orientation of the individual cells is generated and optimized by a computer driven scripting program. Furthermore five wind turbines that are placed inside the structural layer are generating additional energy. Both the roof and the underground passage are energy self-sufficient. The new paradigmatic design of the Energy Roof creates a distinctive and highly recognizable icon for the city and a statement for aesthetic sustainability corresponding with the ancient buildings of Via Mazzini.

Architecture for Humanity Responds to Haiti Quake

The firm has issued a call to architects, interior designers, engineers, environmental scientists, agronomists, and landscape architects across the globe to donate their time and talent.

Architecture for Humanity members haven’t slept a wink since Monday night. The San Francisco-based non-profit design services firm founded by Cameron Sinclair and Kate Stohr, is busy mobilizing an architecture army for reconstruction efforts in Haiti following Tuesday’s horrific earthquake. The firm, which provides design, construction, and development for nations and cultures in need, is currently fundraising for long-term efforts in the crumbled city of Port au Prince. Additionally, Architecture for Humanity has issued a call to architects, interior designers, engineers, environmental scientists, agronomists, and landscape architects across the globe to donate their time and talent to aid in the long road ahead. “While Haiti is currently in desperate need of relief and recovery services, very soon we will move to long-term reconstruction,” said Cameron Sinclair. “When the world’s attention turns away from this disaster, that is when the design and building community is needed most. Give now to build back better.” Currently, Architecture for Humanity is fleshing out a comprehensive, two- to four-year plan (including transitional, temporary shelter, as well as permanent construction) for the devastated nation that begins with a site visit in approximately three week’s time. Ideally, the firm will have professionals in the field by month two. Sinclair and his team are urging dedicated, passionate members of the industry, especially those who are French-speaking, to sign up to volunteer at architectureforhumanity.org/getinvolved/offerdesign. Monetary donations can also be submitted via PayPal sans service fee atarchitectureforhumanity.org/donate. Encouraging donation to the firm, California-based artisans Heath Ceramics have vowed to contribute 25 percent of all online and in-store sales to Architecture for Humanity between Friday, January 15 and Monday, January 17. The company is now offering free shipping on all goods through Sunday to sweeten the deal. Shop their wares at heathceramics.com.

THIS WEDNESDAY. BECAUSE THE TIME TO RESPOND IS NOW! WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20TH 6 – 9 PM Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW Washington, DC PLEASE REGISTER AND PAY ONLINE – IN AN EFFORT TO MINIMIZE CROWDING AT THE DOOR EVENT PREVIEW Celebration of the Human Spirit Brief Presentation by American Red Cross Networking – Old Friends & New Recognition of Major Corporate Donations Heavy Hors D’Oeuvres & Two Complimentary Cocktails/Beer/Wine Cash Bar Music A human tragedy of unspeakable magnitude has affected - and destroyed the lives of - the people of Haiti. Please join us in a DC-wide fundraiser for THE AMERICAN RED CROSS-HAITI DISASTER RELIEF FUND. COMMIT WITH US TO PROVING THAT TOGETHER WE ARE RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY. Tickets are $100 each and because of the generosity of our Presenting Sponsors, 100% of the proceeds collected will be donated to The American Red Cross. Come out, invite your friends and family, colleagues and competitors and commit yourselves to the challenge. Let's raise $100,000 in support of our fellow men, women, and children in Haiti. We can do it. Above and beyond the price of admission, corporate checks made out to "American Red Cross - Haiti Disaster Relief Fund" will be accepted during the event and recognized. Have a heart for Haiti. In Partnership with TAKE IT THE NEXT LEVEL & BECOME A HOST - ENSURE 10 OTHERS SIGN UP. TO ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST OF HOSTS, EMAIL YOUR NAME TO itum@moii.com. The list continues to grow… David Noel – MOI | Murad Sbitan – MOI | Khalid Itum – MOI | Linsey Jorgenson – MOI | Kerry Gabler – MOI | Heather Davis – MOI | Denise DeLorey – Arent Fox Ralph Brabham – Arent Fox | Ken Patton – Jones Lang LaSalle | Brennan McReynolds – SKANSKA | Barbara Nolan – Barbara Nolan, Inc. Marie Davis – Barbara Nolan, Inc. | Chris Delucchi – Delucchi+ | Patty Delk – Delucchi+ | John Piedrahita – Delucchi+ John Kane – The Kane Company / Office Movers | Dave Millard – Cushman & Wakefield | John Jessen – VOA Associates | Pablo Quintana – VOA Associates Mark Bisnow – Bisnow Media | Tim Isgitt – Corporation for Public Broadcasting | Eric Hirshfield – 18th & U Duplex Diner Louise Boulton-Lear – Davis Construction | Joe Alvarez – NOS | Bob Fox – Fox Architects | Kim Sullivan – OPX | Barbara Mullenex – OPX Steve Polo – OPX | Al Minite – ALKS & Associates| Adam Shepherd – Faithful + Gould | Cynthia Hund – Omnifics | Tori Simms – Kimball Office Derek Gallardo – KTA Group | Pam Varipapa – MOI | Debbie Sachs – MOI | Marisa Michnick – RTKL Associates Judy Gretsch – Associated Builders and Contractors | Louise Boulton-Lear – DAVIS Construction | Reed Stvan – Management Alternatives Ken Wilson – ENVISION Design | Sarah Maguire – Arent Fox | Takehiro Nakamura – OPX | Ann McGuinness – The HON Company Mary Fitch – AIA | DC | Barbara McDuffie – Baker Tilly/Beers+Cutler

p

Please enjoy the wonder water droplet's on a spider's webphotos provided to us from Leslie at Infinity Photography. For more information, or to include something like this on one of your upcoming projects visit www.infinitypix.com.

Snowing on 6- Washington Design Center

Northrop Grumman Moving HQ to Washington, DC

Defense Contractor Relocating from Los Angeles by 2011

Northrop Grumman Corp. said Monday that it is relocating its corporate headquarters to the Washington, DC, area. The defense contractor is making the shift to accommodate its government customers and expects to select a site by the spring. The move is slated for summer 2011. "As a global security company with a large customer base in the Washington, DC, region, this move will enable us to better serve our nation and customers," noted Wes Bush, who took over as president and CEO of Northrop Grumman from Ronald Sugar on Jan. 1. Currently headquartered at 1840 Century Park East in Los Angeles, Northrop is eyeing up several potential locations in the Washington, DC, area and determining where it can find the best incentives. Maryland, home of rival contractor Lockheed Martin, is a possibility. Virginia, home to competitor General Dynamics, is also in the running. Additionally, the company is looking at locations directly in the District. Any of these prospective areas would be an attractive option for Northrop, which currently occupies approximately 2.5 million square feet of Class A office space in the area, according to CoStar information. Most of that space is in Virginia, including two leases of more than 300,000 square feet each in Reston and Herndon. Northrop also occupies about 140,000 square feet at 1000 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, where it keeps its corporate government relations office. Northrop plans to employ about 300 people at the new headquarters, some of which will be transplants from Los Angeles. However, the security company said in a statement that it would maintain a major presence in California, where it employs about 30,000 people at its research, development and manufacturing facilities. Its Aerospace Systems sector remains based in Redondo Beach. Northrop Grumman has approximately 40,000 employees in the Washington, DC, region, and about 120,000 employees worldwide. The company occupies 151,800 square feet in its Los Angeles headquarters, according to CoStar data.

Source: http://www.costar.com/News/Article.aspx?id=B03A26E44503756D9C4DE9E42D3515ED&ref=100&iid=164&cid=A6724F8C401422B891D6863D9B6B9374

D.C. Will Have 75 LEED-Certified Buildings By End of 2011

The Downtown DC BID’s January 2010 newsletter picks out a few interesting facts from a recent development report, prepared by theWashington, DC Economic Partnership.

Thanks to the Green Building Act of 2006—which requires public and private commercial buildings to meet certain green benchmarks—more than 75 buildings will be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified projects by the end of 2011. That includes 37 Silver, 23 Gold and five Platinum buildings.

The Green Building Act itself (PDF here) has expanding requirements, which change every year through 2012 to include more buildings that must be LEED certified during construction. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency ranked D.C. fourth on a list of energy efficient cities, behind Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston.

Source: http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/housingcomplex/2010/01/06/d-c-will-have-75-leed-certified-buildings-by-end-of-2011/

Tallest Building in the World, The Burj Dubai, Opens

Whether you love it or hate it, the Burj Dubai, the tallest building on the face of the planet and the one the whole world has been anticipating, opens today in Dubai! Standing at least 160 stories high (the final height will be revealed at the inauguration ceremony), the controversial tower does not eclipse the world’s second tallest building, Taipei 101, by just a little – it is actually at least 1,000 ft taller (about the same height as the Eiffel Tower). While we’re excited about the opening of this spectacular architectural feat, we’re still skeptical about the Burj’s efforts to green itself, as well as its elephantine carbon footprint.

Housing a staggering 1,000 condos, an Armani hotel, 57 elevators, and a slew of other amenities, the Burj is a symbol of luxury and excess that do not seem in keeping with our sustainable goals or the humble times that the world is currently experiencing. However, there are some notable green features such as an 11-hectare green oasis surrounding the foot of the tower which will be irrigated using an innovative condensate collection system. Condensation from the building’s cooling equipment will be recovered providing an estimated 15 million gallons of water a year – certainly helpful when you’re operating a gigantic tower in the desert.

We congratulate everyone involved in the opening of the Burj and hope that as the world’s most watched building, they take this opportunity to incorporate even more green features and set an example for future developments.

Contract Magazine announces

IA Interior Architects Announces 2010 Appointments

Global architectural firm IA Interior Architects announces several new firm appointments for 2010: Kim Parsley, Associate IIDA, LEED AP, from the Seattle office was promoted to principal, and Orange County’s Shannon L. Medina was promoted to senior associate. Gregory C. Garcia II, RA, NCARB, LEED AP, (Atlanta), Josh Khanna (Seattle), and John Varholak (Washington, D.C.) gained the associate title. “We are proud to recognize these individuals with firm appointments,” said David B. Mourning, IA founder and CEO, in a statement. “They consistently go above and beyond the call of duty; through their leadership and expertise, they strengthen the firm’s commitment to innovative and environmentally responsible design.”

Photo of the Week Presented by Infinity Pix

Please enjoy the beautiful deep red hues of these beautiful abstract flower photos provided to us from Leslie at Infinity Photography. For more information, or to include something like this on one of your upcoming projects visit www.infinitypix.com.