Wiles Mensch Corporation – DC (WM) served on the project team for the development of a state-of-the-art library facility designed to be the focal point for the community. This project involved demolition of the existing facility on site and the design of a newly constructed 21,000 SF structure. The team was tasked with utilizing innovative design techniques to meet LEED Gold Design standards, while blending with the surrounding mid-Century modern exteriors.

WM provided the design team with surveying, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services. Specific scope of services included site design, stormwater management, utility design, grading, as well as landscape architecture features. WM provided design solutions for landscape features including outdoor gathering spaces, a green roof, and solar panels. The survey team also provided stakeout services for the site.

Permit comments from DC Water recommended replacing a section of the 125 year-old water main running underneath the site at K Street. The recommendation had significant potential to derail the project schedule, to which WM responded by producing design documents to address the outlined concern, resulting in the expediting of the permitting process.

The new library achieved LEED Platinum certification for environmental design.

The project is also award-winning many times over, having garnered the following honors:

Award of Merit, Institutional Architecture
AIA Northern Virginia, 2021

Wood in Architecture, Gold Award
WAN Awards, 2021

Civic: Libraries, Museums and the Arts, Finalist
WAN Awards, 2021

Best of the Best: Building, Awards of Excellence
NAIOP DC|MD Chapter, 2021

Award of Excellence, Best Institutional Facility
NAIOP DC|MD Chapter, 2021

National Award of Merit, Civic / Assembly
Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), 2021

Award of Merit, Cultural/Worship
Engineering News Record, 2021

Excellence in Sustainability, Best Project
Engineering News Record, 2021

Outstanding Project less than 200,000 SF
Lambda Alpha International, George Washington Chapter

Photos courtesy of: Perkins + Will