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Century Center

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Project Category:
Location: Crystal City, Virginia
Client: Lowe Enterprises
Architect/Engineer: Gensler
Contractor: Davis Construction

FTLA was retained to design a vibrant streetscape to complement the renovation of a 1970’s office and retail complex in Crystal City, Virginia, which added new entrances and lobbies to two existing office towers. The original building design called for a second-story pedestrian walk that was never built, with the result that the ground level, developed primarily to serve vehicular traffic, was not only unattractive, but unsafe for pedestrian users.

FTLA was responsible for a complete
redesign intended to:

    • Make the ground level more pedestrian-friendly with the addition of sidewalks, paths and pedestrian crossings
    • Integrate with work that rebuilt and realigned the road on which the complex was located
    • Help make office and retail space more marketable by bringing the complex up-to-date with a modern look

Site Unseen

Grates leading to electrical vaults, prominent fire stands and a loading dock adjacent to the parking garage detracted from the appearance of the original site. FTLA’s new design helped hide unsightly features behind removable concrete panels, relocated fire stands to a less visible area and blended the loading dock in by incorporating the pedestrian paving and walkway materials for a more attractive look.

Making the Grade

Built in the 1970’s, the original buildings featured a 6” step-up at each entrance which had to be modified to comply with new ADA requirements. FTLA’s landscape design successfully addressed this issue by creating a separate grading plan for each area, including the underground parking garage which featured particularly dramatic grade variations.

Preexisting Conditions

One of the design team’s biggest challenges was planning around site constraints including a required 15’ clearance between the buildings and planters and an underground parking garage which extended all the way to the street level. In order to meet County requirement for street trees, the FTLA team sourced new materials including a drainage board that allowed them to reduce the required soil and gravel level from 4.5’ to 3.5’ for tree planters. The team also creatively developed a design that incorporated walls that allowed them to build the soil level up to the required depth while doubling as seating.

Moving Pieces

If there is one constant in design, it’s change, and Century Center had more than its share, switching both architects and landscape architects midway through the project. Brought in to replace the original landscape architect, FTLA still had to meet original site plan amendments submitted to Arlington County in order to avoid delays associated with submitting another version for review. Rising to the challenge, FTLA was able to modify the design to better meet the client’s vision while working within the parameters set by the original plans.

Team Players

The complexity of the Century Center project called for close coordination among all parties to ensure a successful outcome. To aid in this, FTLA staff worked closely with the architect, client and Arlington County, meeting numerous times with County representatives to ensure the new design was in full compliance with all applicable codes without compromising the integrity of the project.

Video

Click here for a 90-second video that offers a closer look at this project’s unique features.