The American Society for Microbiology’s space was distributed among four historic rowhouses built in 1887 and an eight-story office tower built in the 1990s. FOX Architects was commissioned to connect the separate rowhouses into one space for a new, larger conference center. As historic structures, the rowhouses were subject to many of DC’s jurisdictional review and approval processes. Our firm guided the project from concept to completion, working with various boards and agencies for permission.
In creating modern functionality within a historic structure, a primary challenge was removing a 40-foot party wall that separated two rowhouses. This significant structural accomplishment enabled the space to be used as a large conference center, opening up previously divided spaces.
On the exterior, we maintained and restored the historic façade, preserving the historic character of the structure. On the interior, our architectural work has created a modern, functional environment that supports the work and mission of the organization.