A. H. McCoy Federal Office Building in Jackson, Mississippi by Schwartz/Silver Architects

Article source: Schwartz/Silver Architects

Constructed as part of the General Services Administration’s Design Excellence program, Schwartz/Silver’s modernization of the A. H. McCoy Federal Building and new security pavilion has dramatically changed the urban landscape in Jackson, Mississippi. The architects took the opportunity to redefine the relationship between the city and the federal government at this site. The re-envisioned plaza provides a landscaped oasis in the city for the employees and visitors who utilize the building. And by reaching out towards the corner of the site, the invitingly scaled security pavilion creates a welcoming entry point for the building.

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer 

• Architects: Schwartz/Silver Architects
• Project: A. H. McCoy Federal Office Building
• Location: Jackson, Mississippi, USA
• Photography: Alan Karchmer
• Awards:
  2010 GSA Honor Award in Urbanism I On the Boards
  2011 BIMforum Delivery Process Innovation Award
• Client: General Services Administration
• Program:  Re-plan 15 story tower to house federal agency tenants; complete building systems (MEP-FP) replacement; redesigned elevator lobbies and common spaces; accessibility upgrades; security upgrades; landscape; new security pavilion and public lobby; LEED Silver Certification.
• Cost / Area: $60 million / 428,000 sf
• Year: 2013

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer

Collaborators: 

• Design Architect/ Architect of Record: Schwartz/Silver Architects
• Associate Architect: Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons
• Mechanical and Plumbing Engineering: Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons
• Structural Engineer / Façade Consultant: Dewhurst Macfarlane
• BIM Consultant: Ghafari
• Vertical Transportation Consultant: Lerch Bates
• Structural Engineer / BLAST: Weidlinger Associates
• Commissioning Agent: EMC Engineers
• Civil Engineer: Crown Engineering
• A/V and IT Consultant: Acentech Incorporated
• Landscape Architect: Hargreaves Associates
• Lighting Design: Tillotson Design Associates
• Fire Protection Engineering: FCB Engineering
• Security Consultant: Sako& Associates, Inc.

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer

• Geotechnical Engineer: TerraCon
• Construction Manager as Administrator: Faithful + Gould
• Contractor: Skanska
• Metal Panel System Fabricator: Zahner
• Millwork Fabricator: Onsite Woodwork
• Curtainwall Fabricator: Schuco USA LP
• Mechanical Contractor: Upchurch Plumbing
• Electrical Contractor: Miller
• Glass Manufacturer: Viracon
• Sprinkler Contractor: National Fire Protection

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer

The mandate for the renovation of the McCoy Federal Building included improved accessibility, sustainability and space standards; new building systems; and a secure entry for the building’s twenty federal agencies.  Inspired by the Mississippi River’s changing meanders, the pavilion’s entry canopies curve out to welcome pedestrians.

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer

The ribbon-like façades of the pavilion are clad in white aluminum skin matching the color of the original tower. In front of that metal surface, aluminum ribbons support fritted glass shingles that hover free of the façade. The glass shingles, floating in front of the building skin, are luminous, translucent and ephemeral.

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer

The modernization of the building reimagined the Brutalist-style office building and its surrounding landscape. In addition to accessibility improvements and the complete renovation of building systems, the architect was able to work with the General Services Administration to achieve something more elusive for the building tenants and the City of Jackson.

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer

Using approximately 15% of the overall budget, a new security pavilion and site landscaping transformed the building character in a more welcoming, secure and sustainable direction.  Encouraging the development and revitalization of downtown Jackson, Mississippi, this project has seen several other ventures emerge – from the Farish Street Entertainment District to the Mississippi Blues Trail.

Image Courtesy © Alan Karchmer

Image courtesy Schwartz/Silver Architects

Image courtesy Schwartz/Silver Architects

Image courtesy Schwartz/Silver Architects

Image courtesy Schwartz/Silver Architects

Image courtesy Schwartz/Silver Architects

Tags: Mississippi, USA

Categories: Building, Offices, Tower

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 7th, 2013 at 6:25 am. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.