Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Headquarters

Arlington, Virginia, United States

Awards

  • 2012 Washington Building Congress, Craftsmanship Awards, Ceramic Tile and Terrazzo
  • 2012 Washington Building Congress, Craftsmanship Awards, Curtain Walls

Sustainability

  • LEED Gold (Base Building)
  • LEED Platinum (Interiors)

Project Summary

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) engaged MGAC to deliver a new headquarters and facilitate numerous government agencies, while ensuring that design and construction teams understood, responded to, and executed on their stringent space needs. The agency’s strict security requirements, urban location, and desire for increased employee engagement resulted in a unique challenge, and a complex teaming and approvals structure. The building is the first leased facility completely compliant with Department of Defense facility security standards.

MGAC addressed extensive base building requirements for security, slab loading, blast protection, interior up-fit, broadcast, and technology requirements. We oversaw the Level 5 commissioning of all building systems and managed the procurement and installation of multiple technology systems. Additionally, our move management team transitioned 1,200 employees from the old building in a round-the-clock effort.

Over the course of the project, MGAC created roughly $10M in savings and delivered a facility that both facilitates and symbolizes collaboration, transparency, and renewed energy. The base building, which features an all-glass facade, has achieved LEED Gold certification, while the building’s interior has achieved LEED Platinum. The project is the recipient of multiple Craftsmanship Awards from the Washington Building Congress.