The General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded Corgan Associates, Inc., and its design partner, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) the design of the new Social Security Administration (SSA) National Support Center (NSC) as part of the Hensel Phelps Design-Build team. Located in Northeast Maryland, the new 280,000-sf office and data center will replace the existing outdated National Computer Center and will house critical computer operations essential to providing prompt and accurate benefit payments to millions of Americans.
The new National Support Center anticipates future technological advancements that will promote the expansion and quality of services provided by the Social Security Administration. Upon completion, it will comply with Mission Critical Criteria from the Uptime Institute, including Tier 3 design certification standards and will provide the infrastructure necessary to support an estimated IT load of 10 megawatts.
The new SSA campus is expected to meet all Federal energy and water conservation goals while achieving LEED Gold Certification from the United States Green Building Council.
The Corgan/SOM design team will achieve energy efficiency through advanced building control systems, climatically responsive layouts, waste reduction principles, natural day-lighting, and solar control, both by building orientation and with solar control devices. Additional, high performance sustainable design permeates the new design with such elements as a six acre array of photovoltaic panels and the recapture of stormwater to assist with cooling and provide potable water throughout the facilities.
The mechanical engineering and plumbing design will be provided by KTA, Southland Mechanical, and MC Dean Electrical, civil engineering and landscape architecture by Timmons Group, and Thornton Tomasetti will provide the structural engineering design for the project. BD+C
Related Stories
| Jan 30, 2014
See how architects at NBBJ are using computational design to calculate the best views on projects [video]
In an ideal world, every office employee would have a beautiful view from his or her desk. While no one can make that happen in real life, computational design can help architects maximize views from every angle.
| Jan 30, 2014
The evolving workplace: One designer's inspiration board
"Open office" has been a major buzzword for decades, and like any buzzword, some of the novelty has worn off. I don't believe we will abandon the open office, but I do think we need to focus on providing a dynamic mix of open and closed spaces.
| Jan 30, 2014
How reverse engineering nature can spur design innovation
It’s not enough to copy nature. Today’s designers need a deeper understanding of environmental nuance, from the biome in.
| Jan 30, 2014
What to expect in the metal building industry in 2014
Every year brings changes. This one won’t be any different. We’ll see growth in some areas, declines in others. Here’s a little preview of what we’ll be writing about 2014 when 2015 comes rolling in.
| Jan 30, 2014
What's in store for healthcare capital markets in 2014?
Despite the shake up stemming from the Affordable Care Act, 2014 will be an active year in healthcare capital markets, according to real estate experts from CBRE Healthcare.
| Jan 29, 2014
Richard Meier unveils 'urban courtyard' scheme for Mexico City towers
A grand atrium, reaching some 30 stories, highlights the contemporary, bright-white design scheme unveiled this week by Richard Meier & Partners for a new mixed-use development in Mexico City.
| Jan 29, 2014
Historic church will be part of new condo building in D.C.
Sorg Architects unveiled a design scheme for 40 condos in a six-story building, which will wrap around an existing historic church, and will itself contain four residential units.
| Jan 29, 2014
Hotel, retail, recreation sectors to lead growth in 2014
AIA's Consensus Construction Forecast, a survey of the nation’s leading construction forecasters, is projecting that spending will see a 5.8% increase in 2014, led by the hotel, retail, and amusement/recreation sectors.
| Jan 29, 2014
Notre Dame to expand football stadium in largest project in school history
The $400 million Campus Crossroads Project will add more than 750,000 sf of academic, student life, and athletic space in three new buildings attached to the school's iconic football stadium.
| Jan 29, 2014
AIA honors 18 with 2014 Young Architects Award
Three recent BD+C "40 Under 40" winners are among the outstanding young architects recognized by the AIA.
