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NATIONAL BUSINESS CENTER PROFILE
Leading the Modernization of the Main Interior Building |
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The construction of the MIB began in April of 1935 and was completed in December 1936.
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The Department of the Interior was the first building in Washington, DC to be authorized, designed, and built by the Roosevelt Administration. Construction of the 1.3 million square foot building covering 2 city blocks, and housing approximately 4000 occupants, began in April of 1935 and was completed in December 1936 – a record time for the building of a federal structure of its size and complexity.
Constructed to be one of the most innovative and functional government buildings of it’s time, the building was designed to enhance occupant comfort and safety. Central air conditioning, windows and sink closets in almost every office, moveable steel office partitions, escalators, acoustic plaster ceilings, and a separate floor for the mechanical equipment were features of the new building.
In 2001, over sixty-five years later, GSA awarded a contract to Grunley Construction Company to modernize the Main Interior Building. The modernization project will be conducted in six phases. Each phase will correspond to the six wings of the building, with a scheduled completion date of 2011 and an estimated cost of $175M. The historical areas of the building including the Secretary’s Office, Library, Museum, Lobbies, and Hallways will be included in the modernization project, but will be restored and preserved according to historic preservation standards. Finally, an agreement to certify the building through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings (LEED_EB) rating program of the US Green Building Council was endorsed by both GSA and DOI. The LEED-EB program is a voluntary consensus-based, rating system that evaluates environmental performance from a whole building perspective over the life cycle of the building with a focus on sustainability.
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In 2003, a new fire pump was installed in the basement mechanical room.
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Demolition of the floor for the installation of new stair tower. Demolition is needed to upgrade and improve the MIB’s infrastructure to conform to current health and safety standards. Portions of the fire protection and alarm systems will be upgraded and portions replaced.
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The 6th wing has been completed and occupants have moved into the modernized space. Some of the specific improvements include:
- Life safety upgrades include the installation of fire alarms and a public address system, sprinklers, an emergency generator to provide backup power for emergency lighting, and additional stairs on each wing which are much safer in times of a fire.
- Environmental quality has been improved with the introduction of fan coil units housed under the windows, allowing the occupants to regulate heating and cooling in the individual offices. Carpet tiles, made of recycled post consumer products were chosen to eliminate the need for padding which harbors mold and to facilitate replacement of damaged or soiled carpet. Individual offices have pendant lighting with the option to select direct or indirect lighting. Asbestos and lead paint were abetted. Restrooms are accessible and emergency egress ramps will be provided from the Auditorium and selected wings. Water saving improvements include the installation of low flow toilets in the restrooms. A green roof will be installed during the next phase as a pilot to analyze the savings, costs, and feasibility of using rainwater collected on the roof to irrigate the landscape around the perimeter of the building.
- Each wing has a kitchenette equipped with Energy Star appliances, collection containers for recycling materials, and timed electrical outlets to reduce energy usage.
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