Confidential project
McLean, Va.
BEST PROJECT
Sent by: Hitt Contracting
Owner: confidential
Main design company: shape
General contractor: Hitt Contracting
MEP Engineer: GHT Ltd.
A three-story interconnecting staircase forms the centerpiece of this headquarters move, which was completed on time and under budget in eight months. With more than 40 individually measured steel support elements, the staircase ascends through curved radius slab cuts that require extensive coordination to ensure safe execution and perfect alignment at all floors.
Tambour wood panels adorn the edges of the slab to serve as guardrails. Integrated accent lighting illuminates the perimeter. The installation of the staircase involved the temporary removal of an exterior window on the 10th floor so that large precast sections could be flown in with the crane. Each section was then lifted across the slab cuts and bolted into place.
Tying all stair treads to the slab and flush with the poured concrete floor provides a clean and precise final look. At the heart of the build is a 2,500 sq ft library with elegant hardwood floors and seven freestanding millwork bookshelves with built-in hidden accent lighting and discreet sockets. The reclaimed barn wood that wraps the structural steel members blends with the textures of the millwork bookshelves and floor. A hidden door within the millwork wall panels allows employees access to private rooms.
Photo courtesy of Hitt Contracting
Two 25-foot telescoping glass partitions converge to create private areas for employees. The design exemplifies the integration of different finishes, creating a cohesive space. This level of detail and coordination allowed the final product to exceed expectations, resulting in a distinctive space that reflects the client’s values and vision.
The project team’s success in logging 120,000 hours of work with no lost time accidents or recordable incidents is testament to meticulous planning that encompassed many challenges, including slab cuts, stair installation and the heavy pieces of millwork and the open roof layout of the space, which required large overheads. ladder work Detailed safety measures were implemented to address the hazards associated with these and other activities and provided a platform for workers to discuss potential risks, share experiences and reinforce safe work practices.
