There is a large inventory of office buildings in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area (particularly near Farragut North) that are reaching the end of their lives. Some of these office properties are being reskinned and renovated, while others are being torn down and redeveloped. In acknowledgement of this development, the 2009 competition focuses on the re-skinning of an existing building.

The design challenge is to modify the building so that it (1) performs better for the environment, (2) is healthier for occupants, (3) is more attractive, and (4) saves money. The scope and scale of the modification is undefined.

The site is located on the northwest corner of Connecticut Avenue and K Street, where a 40+ year-old office building once stood (1725 K Street). Site characteristics include:

• Location next to the Farragut Square Park
• Location adjacent to the Farragut North metro stop (red) at the corner of Connecticut Avenue and L Street, and one block from the Farragut West metro stop (blue/orange)
• Within walking distance of the White House and DuPont Circle
• Given the diagonal layout of Connecticut Avenue from the gridded North/South/East/West streets of DC, site is trapezoidal

Brief (PDF)