ATF New Headquarters Model on Display in Nation's Capital

ATF New Headquarters Model on Display in Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The architectural model of the new Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives national headquarters building is on display at the National Building Museum, as part of the museum's exhibition "Open: New Designs for Public Space." The four-month exhibition includes 27 international projects and explores contemporary and future directions in the design of public space. The ATF headquarters model will be on display through May 15.

ATF's future headquarters model, entitled "GSA Federal Building," is one of seven public space projects in the Washington metropolitan area. It, along with the National Museum of the American Indian and the Kennedy Center Renovation Project, was selected for the "In The News" section in the exhibition, which examines contemporary spaces that are in development, under construction or recently completed in the area. This exhibition explores the intersections of infrastructure, environment, transportation, recreation, culture and tourism.

"Having ATF's headquarters included in this important exhibit is a great opportunity to highlight our new building and our commitment to the surrounding community," said ATF Director Carl J. Truscott. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with the District of Columbia in the revitalization of the New York Avenue Corridor."

ATF's new headquarters was conceived, designed and is being constructed under the new federal security standards established by the Interagency Security Committee. It is one of the first federal, non-courthouse buildings since the Oklahoma City bombing to incorporate all elements of the ISC design criteria. The design not only meets a high level of protection, it will exemplify the General Services Administration's and the National Capital Planning Commission's dedication to openness and security using architectural elegance and ingenuity.

The location of the building will benefit employees and the community as well. The ATF headquarters project will reinstate two historic northeast Washington streets, 2nd and N, allowing local residents to access the new Red Line Metro station at New York and Florida Avenues, which opened in November 2004.

The design engages the perimeter street edge with retail shops and incorporates a generous amount of landscaping to provide an environmentally friendly and appealing visual amenity to the community.

The new ATF headquarters will be more than 400,000 square feet and will allow for the maximum amount of natural light through the use of atriums and gardens. Excavation and soils remediation work for the project began in early 2004 and on-site construction began in July 2004. ATF is scheduled to move in the summer of 2006.

The National Capital Planning Commission and the D.C. Commission on Fine Arts approved the design for the new building in October 2001. Moshe Safdie and Associates of Somerville, Mass., under the GSA Design Excellence Program, developed the structure. GSA selected the firm of Walsh/Davis Joint Venture to be the general contractor for the construction of this project.

Contact: Sheree Mixell

(202) 927-8500


Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives

Contact: Sheree Mixell of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms &
Explosives, +1-202-927-8500

Web site: http://www.atf.gov/


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