As part of the GSA’s Design Excellence program, Schwartz/Silver addressed several requirements at the McCoy Federal Building:  improve accessibility and sustainability; replace building systems; provide a secure entry for twenty federal agencies; and convert a concrete plaza into a green landscape.  The tower was reorganized to improve circulation patterns and the building envelope rehabilitated.  Inspired by the Mississippi River’s changing meanders, the new security pavilion’s entry canopies curve out to welcome pedestrians.  The ribbon-like façades of the pavilion are clad in white aluminum skin matching the color of the original tower.  In front of that metal surface, aluminum ribbons support translucent glass shingles that hover free of the façade.  The shingles, floating in front of the building skin, are luminous and ephemeral.

Recognition

American Architecture Award, Chicago Athenaeum 
Honor Award, AIA Mississippi 
Design Excellence Award, Boston Society of Architects  
Design Citations in Architecture, Construction, Communication Design, Interiors, Urbanism; General Services Administration (GSA)
Delivery Process Innovation Award, BIMForum
Technology in Architectural Practice Award, American Institute of Architects 
Honor Award - Urbanism, GSA On the Boards Awards 
LEED Gold Certified, GBCI

Collaborators

Owner’s Project Representative: Faithful + Gould
Associate Architect: Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons
Landscape Architect: Hargreaves Associates
Structural Engineer: Dewhurst Macfarlane & Partners
Blast Engineer: Weidlinger Associates
Mechanical/Plumbing/Electrical Engineer: Cooke Douglass Farr Lemons
Lighting: Tillotson Design Associates
Facade Consulting and Fabrication: Zahner
Fire Protection Engineering: FCB Engineering
A/V and Acoustical Design: Acentech Inc.
Security: Sako & Associates, Inc.
Civil: Crown Engineering
Geotechnical Engineer: Terracon
Construction Manager: Skanska
Photographer: © Alan Karchmer