Firm： William McDonough + Partners

Type： Commercial › Exhibition Center Office Industrial › Research Facility

STATUS： Built

YEAR： 2019

SIZE： 5000 sqft - 10,000 sqft

BUDGET： $5M - 10M

Designed as a flexible and adaptable high-performance building for HITT, a leading national construction company, Co|Lab promotes engagement with clients and team members through hands-on experiences and direct observation. The building offers designated spaces to construct full-scale spatial and building “mock-ups,” test products and experimental approaches, and demonstrate new and innovative technologies.

Integrated within a semi-industrial and commercial neighborhood close to HITT’s headquarters in Northern Virginia, Co|Lab is targeting Zero Energy Certification. A roof-mounted photovoltaic solar array canopy on the occupiable roof is designed to offset 100% of the building’s energy consumption. Co|Lab’s high-performance envelope and high-efficiency MEP systems are also coupled with a Mass Timber structure, which provides an interior tactile benefit, while also allowing rapid installation of the structural frame and envelope and decreasing the building’s carbon footprint.

Prioritizing material and human health through the specification of Cradle to Cradle®, Health Product Declaration, Forest Stewardship Council and Declare products, Co|Lab aims to bring HITT clients and collaborators together in abundantly daylit, flexible meeting and conference spaces which overlook the double-height lab workspace. HITT intends the Co|Lab to serve as their center for new technologies while also focusing on environmental health and occupant well-being.