1771 N Street NW

The design of 1771 N Street takes a 1960s legacy building and updates it with a stunning new glass facade, rejuvenated outdoor spaces and interior improvements that immediately make it more welcoming and dynamic.

The hallmark of the renovation is a new six-story glass facade that sweeps across the building’s southeast side and eastern corner. The unitized curtain wall system follows the building’s concave form, creating a whimsical curved-mirror effect as it reflects the buildings of Washington’s historic Dupont Circle neighborhood. Fritted glass fins along the exterior provide the building with a sense of verticality, shading and lightness.

A spacious new entry plaza focuses on the creation of human-scale spaces, akin to “rooms in the garden,” shaded by trees. A serpentine ribbon expression meanders throughout the tiered plaza, taking form as a planter wall, seat wall and walking surfaces. This gesture invites the community to come in and enjoy a moment of respite in this bustling urban pocket.

Guests enter the building through a transparent lobby of marble and floor-to-ceiling glazing. The museum-like space features a prominent sculpture of dichroic glass that reflects visible light in a rainbow spectrum, recognizing the neighborhood’s history of inclusivity.

A reconfigured floor plate provides all building occupants with exterior views and draws daylight deep into the building. By reducing the building core, the design also increases leasable space in the trophy-class office building.

Use of a highly efficient and space-saving HVAC system allowed the design team to convert a mechanical penthouse into a rich amenity space that includes a bespoke lounge, state-of-the-art conference facility and a rooftop terrace with dramatic views of the city. The LEED Gold renovation reduced building energy and water use by 35 percent and retains all stormwater on site.