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PGP only planted vegetation that survives on rainwater alone, and installed efficient, low-flow toilets and sinks as well as waterfree urinals in core areas, for a projected 40% water savings. The use of green roof, which is starting to catch on in the Capitol, reminds one of the grass roof of Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo's Oakland Museum, done in 1969. In Oakland, in the words of the museum, the roof "serves as an urban park."

The 'Optimize Energy Performance' requirement in the Energy and Atmosphere LEED category was satisfied by using a high efficiency counter-flow chilled water system that supplies acoustically dampened floor-mounted air handling units. This system is a 21.4 percent over ASHRA minimum standards. The chilled water system's Refrigerant Impact Per Ton is 62.2, well below the LEED allowance.

According to the LEED narrative prepared by Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo Associates and Greenshape's Iris Amdur, the building's measurement and verification plan "will achieve 21.4 percent energy savings when compared to a baseline computer simulation model prescribed in ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2004 in accordance with LEED Credit 1-Optimize Energy Performance." As mentioned earlier, guidelines for the tenants to conserve energy were also prepared. And tenants have applied for LEED certification.

Savings from energy efficiency were partially spent on buying "the equivalent of 35% of the base building power for two years from renewable sources."

Clark Construction recycled 88% of construction waste, 17% of the material cost was for recycled building materials, such as curtain wall glass, concrete, and other structural materials. And concrete and cables were from less than 25 miles away, steel was within 200 miles, and 32 percent of material cost was for materials from within 500 miles.

To satisfy LEED Indoor Environmental Quality, outdoor air is brought to each floor and there are CO2 monitors on each floor. To protect interior air, the outdoor air system has 40% greater capacity than minimum ASHRAE 62.1 2004 standard, without increasing energy consumption. The system recaptures exhaust heat in the winter and expels the exhaust heat in the summer.

Also, low emitting materials, such as carpets, paints, and adhesives were used to protect indoor air quality, filtered by 80%-85% MERV 13 filters. Heat generated at the windows flows up the windows to above the ceiling, rather than being distributed to the interior spaces. As mentioned earlier, the views and natural lighting are outstanding.

801 17th Street exceeded the LEED requirements and, therefore, also received maximum points in innovative design category for eliminating heat island effect by having all parking underground, covering more than 50% of the roof with vegetation, encouraging public transportation, and having a Green Housekeeping and Building Maintenance Program. (LEED credit for having underground parking in downtown Washington, D.C. seems silly as there are virtually no asphalt lots in the downtown.)

As LEED consultant Iris Amdur reminded me, much of energy conservation technology is invisible to the public. 801 17th Street is that rare building that seamlessly combines aesthetics with green technology to the benefit of people passing by the building, the tenants, and owner.

Alan Kaden, co-manager of Fried Frank, best summed it up: the open, light- filled office environment works well for their team approach to practicing law and along with its location convenient for biking and public transportation, makes the building and the offices appealing to the young lawyers Fried Frank wants to hire.

William Lebovich is an architectural historian and architectural photographer who documents buildings throughout the United States. His photographs are in the Library of Congress, Brooklyn Museum, and numerous state and local repositories. More by William Lebovich

Project Credits

Project: Lafayette Tower
Owner: Louis Dreyfus Property Group
Architect: Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo and Associates.
Structural Engineer: Tadjer-Cohen-Edelson Associates, Inc.
MEP Engineer: TOLK, Inc.
Civil Engineer: Wiles Mensch Corporation
Contractor: Clark Construction Group

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Lafayette Tower's proximity to Lafayette Park and a series of lower buildings on an adjacent block combine to provide the rooftop and uppermost floors with views of the park and nearby White House. Photo: William Lebovich Extra Large Image SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Even on lower floors, the building's projecting bay windows offer some occupants views toward Lafayette Park. Photo: William Lebovich Extra Large Image SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE The building's sixth floor is occupied by the law offices of Fried Frank. Gensler designed the offices, which feature open common areas and glazed meeting rooms configured to emphasize shared access to views. Photo: William Lebovich Extra Large Image SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Lafayette Tower sixth-floor plan drawing, showing the Fried Frank offices designed by Gensler. Image: Courtesy Gensler Extra Large Image To provide access to daylight, Gensler extensively used a combination of clear and frosted glass throughout the offices of Fried Frank. Photo: William Lebovich Extra Large Image Lafayette Tower section drawings looking east (left) and south (right). Image: Kevin Roche John Dinkeloo & Associates (KRJDA) Extra Large Image SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Gensler's interiors for Fried Frank were designed to achieve a LEED-CI Silver certification level. Photo: William Lebovich Extra Large Image Some other tenants of Lafayette Tower have also sought LEED-CI certification, including the TD Bank, whose ground-floor bank brank achieved a LEED Gold certification. Photo: William Lebovich Extra Large Image Lafayette Tower tenth-floor plan drawing. Image: KRJDA Extra Large Image Although its overall massing is similar to the other height-limited buildings nearby, Lafayette Tower is otherwise a departure from the more traditionally conservative architecture that surrounds its site. Photo: Courtesy KRJDA Extra Large Image   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.