Modernization of the Mary E. Switzer Building
Washington, DC
Above left is an entry corridor to one of the suites which features zolotone painted walls and nine vision lites in the accent wall. The vision pane is plastic engrained with vertical bamboo. Behind the vision glass are special vertical strip LED lights for added effect. Shown right is view of historic wing 2, 2nd floor. All the interior doors line up from one end of the wing to the other. Grunley installed special light fixtures here, retained the existing wall structure and re-faced the wood studs. The doors are historic.
Switzer Phase 1 Reoccupied Ahead of Schedule
The General Services Administration (GSA) has started to move into the renovated Phase 1 area of the Mary E. Switzer Building, more than two months ahead of schedule. Grunley and its subcontractors accelerated the base contract interior work and added tenant changes and life/safety upgrades at the request of
GSA.
A large number of structural modifications were made above the 6th floor slab. A new 7th floor slab level was created between the 6th floor slab and the existing roof slab above. A two-level 15,000 SF penthouse was then built above the existing roof level. The slab was delivered through new roof openings created between the existing beams. All materials and equipment were delivered by hoist or crane.
New windows were installed and had to match the profile and appearance of the original 80 year old windows. Fortunately, the company that fabricated the original windows was still in business manufacturing steel windows. Grunley formed a team to fast-track the design, fabrication and installation of the windows. We also developed a window protection system to shield the interior space from the elements following window demolition. The system is composed of tarps that can be rolled up or down on motorized cylinders.
The Switzer team put a large amount of construction work in place over a short period while integrating some very complex changes. In concert with meeting the accelerated schedule, the team had to coordinate work with many GSA contractors performing telecommunication, systems furniture and security installations, and preoccupancy renovations to new installations.
GSA began moving in on February 14, 2008, more than two months ahead of schedule. Grunley was able to meet GSA’s requirements aimed at earning a LEED Silver rating, including recycling over 60% of the 11 million pounds of demolition and construction debris.
Grunley will remain at the site through the spring, performing additional changes and finishing exterior work including the installation of a vegetative roof (a “green” roof).
Date Posted: April 3, 2008