2111 W. Roosevelt Rd. Office Complex

Project of the Year: Commercial (Large)

The 2111 W. Roosevelt Rd. office complex in Chicago was constructed to meet the needs of the FBI, a government agency with exacting requirements.

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The agency's employees were housed in seven locations throughout Chicago, but one complex was sought. The site had to be in a location that allowed set-backs from the street for security.

Buildings previously on the site were demolished, and three city blocks for the complex between Western and Damen avenues were consolidated into one L-shaped block, partly for security.

Early in the project, utility services were scheduled to be relocated due to the vacated easement between city blocks.

Delays in the process by the local electrical utility lead to the first challenge: keeping the project's substantial completion date intact.

A work-around solution was proposed. This involved approaching the work in a different sequence, adjustments to the number of men and equipment and adjusting the amount of man-hours worked each week on certain tasks.

The last effect of eliminating the delay was a financial hit to the project's contingency fund.

Elements of Design

Inside the completed building, guests are greeted by a two-level main entry way/lobby and plaza that seamlessly blends through a transparent, highly tensioned cable net-wall structure.

Although there are separate entrances for employees and visitors, the plaza and lobby convey openness and neutralize the perception of a highly secure facility.

The facade is composed of a highly articulated precast concrete with vision glass and a blue-tinted spandrel glass that curves along the north and south elevations. The curves allow increased natural daylight to penetrate the office space while projecting a professional and open appearance.

Prior to construction, the site was underused and an eyesore.

By cleaning up the site, an area that was once undesirable has become attractive. New businesses have moved into the neighborhood.

About 40 percent of the site is dedicated to landscaping to create pleasant interaction between the complex's Illinois Medical District Neighbors to the north and east, as well as the residential and businesses to the south and west.

More than 230 shade and ornamental trees and bushes, groundcover and perennials add to the overall pedestrian-level experience and enjoyment.

Has Sustainable Elements

Sustainable design features include a detention basin that is planted with native and water-tolerant grass.

The building's facade is a combination of 60 percent precast concrete and low-emissivity glass for energy efficiency.

The concrete can be recycled at the end of its life. Interior materials feature certified forest products for all new wood installation, low-volatile-organic-compound sealants and paints, post-consumer recycled rubber floor tiles, ceiling tile containing recycled content and vinyl wall coverings that are Greenguard indoor air quality certified.

In the aftermath of terrorist attacks in Oklahoma City and New York, the government's need for heightened security measures meant certain design elements were approached differently, and many are not allowed to be publicly discussed-even now.

Engineering considerations included system redundancy throughout.

Since the critical functions of the federal agency cannot be interrupted, power supply and HVAC systems were backed up. Under General Services
Administration direction, a surplus GSA-owned generator from the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City was paralleled with another generator to serve the building's emergency power needs.

Along with security features, environmental protections were included, such as the use of high-efficiency HVAC equipment and lighting systems with occupancy sensors.

There was a 100-day hold after the project was awarded. During the hold, steel prices skyrocketed, and the construction price that was used to guarantee the rental rate was negatively impacted.

The team worked to develop the same complex promised to the GSA through collaboration in regard to other savings while maintaining the level of quality proposed during the procurement process. The team was able to complete the complex on time and within budget.

Jury's Comments: "It was interesting to see this. Dollar wise, it's pretty clear that this was a difficult project. The other interesting element is how the lobby opens up to the exterior.

"It is painful to work for the GSA, because the coordination is extremely difficult. It is worth some recognition because of the fortitude. The LEED requirements show a sophisticated degree of planning. An FBI agent was on the site the whole time."

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