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Pier 4
By : StudioMB
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition
Discipline : Architecture
Categories : Commercial Building / Low-Rise Office Building (< 5 storey-high) : Gold Certification
Extending 300 feet into the Washington Channel, Pier 4 has been an active pier since the 1950’s. This project at the southernmost end of the District Wharf development maintains the original use providing modernized cruise operations space at the first floor while adding two additional stories of commercial office above, creating 30,000 sf of the most unique space in the District of Columbia. The Army Corp of Engineers, who oversee construction within US waterways, required the existing concrete pier, canopy and Head House be retained, and any new structure could not exceed the outline of the existing canopy. This elongated, slender shape with gently curved corners became the form generator for the project and inspired the design for the new canopy which tops the third floor. While this approach conserved material resources and embedded energy, it also created significant engineering challenges. The added load of two stories had to be transferred to the existing concrete canopy and pier and down to underwater timber piles to limit re-engineering, shoring, and replacement of original structure. Due to the building’s location within the 100 year floodplain, a resilient design strategy needed to be developed to protect against rising sea levels and severe weather flood events. By constructing the pier level walls out of fully grouted concrete block and locating window openings above the design flood elevation, the exterior structure.
Collaboration
Architect : StudioMB
Engineering : Ehlert Bryan Engineers
Engineering : MC Engineers
General Contractor : Whiting Turner Construction
Engineering : AMT Engineers