United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC by Safdie Architects

Article source: Safdie Architects

Located at the corner of 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC, the United States Institute of Peace Headquarters occupies the northwest corner of the National Mall, in sight of the Lincoln Memorial. As the organization’s first permanent home, the Institute’s headquarters are specifically designed to support the critical mission of international conflict management, and include administrative offices, research facilities including a library and an archive, a conference center, and an interactive educational center dedicated to the theme of peacemaking.

• Architect: Safdie Architects
• Name of Project: United States Institute of Peace
• Location: Washington, DC
• Client: United States Institute of Peace
• Public Opening: September 2011
• Total Area: 150,000 square feet
• Total Cost: US $186 million

The building is organized around two atria fanning out from a corner entrance – one facing the Potomac River and the other the Mall and the Lincoln Memorial. The first atrium serves as the centerpiece for the spaces devoted to scholarly research, while the second is focused on public activity and conferences. The Institute’s structure defines its purpose and symbolically represents peace on the capital’s skyline. The atria are roofed by a series of undulating spherical and toroidal wing-like elements constructed of a steel frame and white translucent glass. The roofs will appear opaque and white on the exterior during the day and will glow from within at night – visible from many places along the National Mall as well as from the western entry to the city across the bridges from Virginia.

Tags: DC, Washington

Categories: Educational Institute, Offices

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