2100 M
390,000 square feet
12 stories
Washington, D.C.
On the Boards
Bold massing and material interventions transform 2100 M Street’s original brutalist façade into a new and dynamic urban form. While the structure's scale still fits within the surrounding context, the addition of stepped terraces differentiates the repositioned building from more conventional office offerings found throughout Washington, D.C.
MA’s ambition for this adaptive reuse project was to respect the integrity of the circa 1969 steel-reinforced exposed aggregate concrete façade while creating a bold and dynamic architectural intervention. Initially, the design team was asked to maintain the existing façade articulation while expanding the building’s ground floor enclosure and adding three floors to the existing nine-story structure. However, after several studies, MA proposed a complete reclad with a taller addition to the north and the creation of exterior terraces. The result is both striking and inviting.
Dark gray metal paneling and curtain wall cladding transform the former brutalist façade into one that is more appropriate for a modern office. The renovation also activates what is now a vacant corner with a northern addition to the existing building. Terraces on every other level align with the double-height floors of the addition, which is a stepped form that is similar in scale to the existing building. Shading devices and fire pits are intentionally located to make the penthouse terraces comfortable year-round. Below, the ground level is defined by custom terra-cotta extrusions at the piers, enclosing a food market and several restaurants that will serve as amenities for the building tenants and draw visitors from the surrounding the neighborhoods.
Image Credits
- MAX KUN ZHANG | IRIS22 PRODUCTIONS
