Site History
The U.S. Department of Commerce complex at 4600 Silver Hill Road is located in Suitland, Maryland, in the 226-acre Suitland Federal Center, about two miles east and south of Washington, DC. The site borders Silver Hill Road on the southeast, Suitland Parkway on the southwest, and Suitland Road to the north. A Metrorail station at the southwest corner adjacent to the site provides subway service to the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The building was constructed in 2006 and is situated beside a woodland preserve and watershed. In these circumstances, the critical challenge was to site the 1.5 million square foot complex and its surrounding structures without overpowering the tall trees and the surrounding natural environment.
Design & Construction
Two large structures function as a single building; They have been likened to a pair of skyscrapers lying on their sides. Conceptually, they appear to have been cleaved from a larger whole. They are sized and situated to minimize their impact on the land. The skin is one of the most salient aspects of the scheme. Across the outer facades is a unique “wood veil” comprising thousands of bent and straight blades of white oak. The blades filter daylight and help to integrate the building with the landscape.
Interiors represent the latest thinking in workplace design with generous daylight, a healthful indoor environment, and broad views into the surrounding wooded landscape. Though the complex’s footprint appears eccentric; it emerges from careful programming to mediate between the social space of offices and the ecological factors of the site. The building houses over 6,000 employees and contains offices, a conference area, cafeteria, credit union, fitness center, library and support space.
Sustainability
Sustainability was a priority in the development of the building. From conception through completion, the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program guided decisions ranging from siting and environmental quality to the conservation of resources and the use of recycled materials. Close adherence to these principles resulted in the building receiving a silver LEED rating—a major achievement for a 1.5 million square foot complex.
U.S. General Services Administration