As the new headquarters building for the Environmental Protection Agency, the Ariel Rios Federal Building in Washington, D.C.’s Federal Triangle needed to be repositioned as a place that encapsulates the ideals of its agency. RTKL, an affiliate of the global firm ARCADIS, was brought on board to renovate the north half of the building by incorporating sustainable design concepts that would demonstrate the EPA’s commitment to the environment, while maintaining the historic quality of the nationally listed site.

This project included sensitive integration of modern systems and features into the historic fabric. Sustainable design measures included life-cycle costing, energy analysis, recyclability and sustainability, recycling of construction waste, fuel choice and pollution implications, daylighting, gray water use, energy envelope efficiency, materials selection and indoor air quality. Substantial preservation work included replacement of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems and the recreation of original design features – all within the parameters of the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.