2008 Galleries

The Spark Gallery pages are one of our most popular design destinations, with thousands of visitors each year. Check out some of the latest Spark entries, in the galleries below.

Galleries // 2008 Spark:Pro // US Census HQ

US Census HQ

Winner - Silver

Competition: Spark:Pro
Designer: SOM Design Team
Design Type: Architecture, Spaces
Company / Organization / School: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

The U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters (Suitland, Maryland) answers the question, “What does sustainability look like”? The 1.5 million gsf, LEED Silver* office complex nestles into its woodland setting, minimizing site impact and maximizing woodland views. The complex features energy efficient building-height wood sunscreens, a narrow floorplate that invites the natural vistas inside, green-roof “vertical parks” with paths and benches, sustainable landscaping including water reclamation ponds and three garden schemes, energy efficient building systems with personalized climate control, sustainable building materials, integrated employee amenities that reduce the need for offsite employee “errand” travel, and public transit access second to none. The project was successfully completed on a compressed, immutable schedule in two consecutive phases, while working around occupied adjacent buildings. The complex is now a model for federal-government sustainable architecture.