A proposal has been put forward to transform the underutilized Washington, D.C. landmark, Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, which is the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) headquarters since 1968, into a mixed-use space offering 300 housing units.
The 10-story, 65,032 m2 (700,000 sf) structure by the architect, Marcel Breuer, designed in the brutalist style, is set to undergo a remarkable makeover.
As part of the BRUTAL DC design exhibition, held at the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) from October 14, 2023, to March 2, 2024, Brooks + Scarpa’s proposal is generating buzz. The exhibition celebrates Brutalist architecture in the nation’s capital, offering insight into the historical roots and future potential of iconic structures in D.C.
The architects’ innovative proposal is a response to the shift toward remote work, resulting in vacant office buildings across D.C., as federal agencies have reported in-person workforce levels far below pre-pandemic numbers, ranging from 10 percent to 50 percent at most.
Brooks + Scarpa’s solution is to breathe new life into the city’s urban core by transforming the existing federal building into a dynamic mixed-use space. This vision involves repurposing the structure into 300 housing units, reducing office space, and providing community amenities. This method not only benefits the environment by mitigating the impact of demolition and new construction, but it also aligns with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s findings. Adaptive reuse significantly improves energy efficiency, reducing consumption by up to 40 percent, while preserving an important piece of architectural history.
The conversion from an office building to a mixed-use facility presents design challenges such as adding natural daylighting and ventilation. To overcome these obstacles, Brooks + Scarpa proposes the removal of the central interior core of the building, replaced by a central courtyard garden with cascading planted terraces. This shared space will serve office occupants and residential tenants alike.
Approximately 45 percent of the building will be allocated for affordable housing, offering living arrangements optimizing space utilization at lower costs. A central courtyard, serving as the building’s lungs, with shallower floor plates will provide well-lit shared spaces and amenities, fostering more open and light-filled office spaces.
For more information on the exhibition visit:
www.suu.edu/suma/exhibits/2023/brutal-dc.html
