REX unveils office complex for washington DC with fluted glass façades

REX unveils office complex for washington DC with fluted glass façades
image by luxigon

new york-based architecture studio REX has revealed plans for a premium office complex to be constructed in washington, DC. the scheme, located in the city’s ‘golden triangle’ business district, will host CBS’s washington bureau among other tenants. set amid a context of heavy masonry and concrete buildings, ‘2050 M street’ employs a glazed curtain wall that offers abundant external views with minimal disruptions.

the design combines the advantages of an all-glass building with the modulation of a high-relief façade
image by luxigon

the façade’s approximately 900 identical, insulated-glass panels are subtly curved through a heat roller tempering process. the curve yields structural efficiency, which meets the wind load requirements and enables a thinner monolithic outer lite than normal — providing greater transparency. ‘because of the curve’s inherent rigidity in compression, only the top and bottom edges of the panels are supported from the floor slabs, while the ‘mullion-less’ vertical edges are flush-glazed for a minimalist aesthetic that improves sightlines, while gaining useable floor area,’ explain the architects.

the façade’s approximately 900 identical, insulated-glass panels are subtly curved
image by luxigon

a high performance, low-E coating is applied to the glass within the insulating cavity to meet thermal performance requirements. paired with the curving panels, it creates an unusual kaleidoscopic effect of repetitive transparency and reflection that simultaneously animates and dematerializes the façade. to emphasize the ethereal lightness of the skin, all perimeter columns are pulled in from the façade, while the ceiling is tapered to the depth of the structural slab as it approaches the exterior.

a high performance, low-E coating is applied to the glass
image by luxigon

at ground floor level, the lobby has been conceived as a ‘warm oasis’ of cowhide wall panels that serve as a visual counterpoint to the crystalline façade. wooden floors and ceilings extend throughout the reception area. the vestibule has also been enlarged to accommodate a site-specific piece of art commissioned specially for the building.

the curtain wall offers abundant external views with a minimal amount of disruptions
image by luxigon

the office building provides sweeping views across the city
image by luxigon

the warm lobby serves as a visual counterpoint to the crystalline façade
image by luxigon

wooden floors and ceilings extend throughout the reception area
image by luxigon

the concave side of the curved units faces outwards, resulting in an elegant fluting effect
image by luxigon

plan view detailing the curtain wall façade

structural detail of the fluted façade
image by front / click for larger version

to emphasize the ethereal lightness of the skin, all perimeter columns are pulled in from the façade

project info:

name: 2050 M Street
location: washington, DC, USA
client: tishman speyer
program: premium office building in washington, DC’s golden triangle business district, that will host CBS’s washington bureau (including television studios), among other tenants
area: approximately 41,800 sqm (450,000 sqf)
cost: confidential
status: commenced 2015; commenced design development 2015; completion expected 2019
design architect: REX
personnel: timothy burwell, adam chizmar, maur dessauvage, kelvin ho, james kehl, elizabeth nichols, joshua prince-ramus, matthew uselman (PL), cristina webb (PL), vaidotas vaiciulis, michael volk
executive architect: kendall/heaton
consultants: arup, baumann, blades, cerami, ECS, front, janson tsai, LERA, LSM, richter, george sexton, walker, wiles mensch, WSP