Mullion-free glass facade shapes D.C.’s modern marvel
by arslan_ahmed | December 12, 2023 12:33 pm
In the heart of Washington, D.C., the architectural landmark, 2050 M Street, stands as a pioneer transcending traditional norms with its distinctive design. Spanning 41,800 m² (450,000 sf), this structure is a fusion of modern aesthetics and architectural tradition, redefining the city’s skyline.
Washington, D.C., is characterized by a duality in architectural styles—the heavy masonry structures reflecting Beaux Arts, neoclassical, Art Deco, and brutalist influences, and the sleek modern buildings with transparent glass facades. Although the structures have matching scales due to zoning codes, there is an aesthetic dissonance created between them.
Designed by REX with Kendall/Heaton Associates as the executive architect, 2050 M Street sets a new benchmark for premium office spaces. The building’s curtain wall, devoid of obstructive mullions, achieves transparency with floor-to-ceiling glass, introducing a novel architectural paradigm that blends the advantages of an all-glass structure with the modulation of a high-relief facade.
The exterior boasts 978 uniform insulated-glass panels, each with a subtle curvature using a bending tempering furnace. This curved glass eliminates structural mullions, reducing outer layer thickness and enhancing transparency. Perimeter columns are strategically recessed 3.8 m (12.5 ft) from the facade, and the ceiling narrows towards the exterior, accentuating the structure’s airy quality. A reflective pyrolytic coating on the exterior and a low-e coating within the glass cavity manage solar heat gain, creating a kaleidoscopic effect.
In stark contrast to the crystalline exterior, the lobby offers a luxurious retreat featuring warm-colored marble, wooden floors, and yacht-inspired aesthetics. The fluted geometry of the facade extends into floor treatments and lavatories, ensuring a cohesive design throughout the building.
This architectural triumph was made possible through an innovative procurement approach. A pre-validated glass specification was shared with multiple fabricators, enabling the owner, Tishman Speyer Properties, to pre-purchase high-quality glass at a negotiated cost. This process ensured optical precision, technical viability, and cost control, allowing the creation of a highly customized curtain wall within budget constraints.
The project has garnered acclaim, receiving awards such as the American Institute of Architects New York (AIA NY) Honor Award in 2023, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CBTUH) Award of Excellence in 2023, and the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize (MCHAP) Outstanding Projects award in 2022.
Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/mullion-free-glass-facade-shapes-d-c-s-modern-marvel/