DOT Headquarters In Washington, DC Features Modern Façade With Metal Composite Materials

Department of Transportation (DOT) buildings fit the mold for government architecture, often featuring heavily bricked or concrete facades. However, for the new headquarters of the D.C. Department of Transportation (DDOT), a more modern façade was designed by the architects at Hickok Cole.

Developed by William C. Smith & Co. Inc., the nine-story building features 180,000 square feet of office space and nearly 7,000 square feet for retail. In addition, the project has earned LEED Gold certification for various sustainable amenities, including a green roofing system and electric car charging stations. Located at 250 M St. SE, the new headquarters blends seamlessly into D.C.’s Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.

The façade is heavily glassed to ensure an influx of natural light and unobstructed views of the city for employees and staff. In addition to the glass curtainwall, the exterior aluminum composite panels that offer a touch of modernity. On a bustling corner of downtown D.C., the project had restricted site access, offering little laydown area for the panels. Kyle Dauer, CEI Materials Project Manager, explains, “The tight site access was easily overcome with some additional coordination for crate sizes to be hoisted to the roof.”

The ACM, in Alucobond Summer Suede and Reynobond Titanium finishes, was fabricated by CEI Materials utilizing the team’s W5000 Route & Return Silicone Joint Panel System. CEI Materials’ W5000 system offers a weather-tight economical assembly utilizing a closed-cell backer rod, structural silicone joint, and hidden fasteners. In addition, the non-progressive design offers installation versatility.