DCM Architecture & Engineering LLC carried out the renovation of the lobby of the Peter W. Rodino Federal Building in New York City. A facelift, both inside and at the entry, with a new porch highlighting the large stainless steel pergola that seems to float.
With this intervention, DCM Architecture & Engineering LLC seeks to relieve the daily congestion and long lines of visitors waiting to pass. Inside they replicate the solid geometry of the façade by drawing a series of stripes on the floor and shadow lines between the wall finishes. Inside the portal we can differentiate the different spaces thanks to the different materials used in each one.
 

Description of project by DCM Architecture & Engineering LLC

The Federal Office building Peter W. Rodino is a structure of 16 floors and 43,500m² that hosts several government agencies, including the U.S. Regional Center for Citizenship and Immigration Services, the General Services Administration, and the U.S. Attorney's Office.

The original main entrance hall of this security building consisted of two narrow entrances, each with a single scanner and a large exit lane between them. To alleviate the daily congestion and the long lines of visitors waiting to pass through security, the lobby expanded into the two-story porch. Taking the space adjacent to the first floor, the two security control entrance spaces expanded to accommodate two baggage scanners in each; while the central exit path narrowed.

DCM used the structural pattern of the existing concrete panel façade to design the stud grid for the new curtain wall. The support structure for the new porch that rises above the plaza remains hidden behind these curtain wall studs, making this large stainless steel pergola appear to float. At the same time, this structure provides the necessary support to resist a possible explosion in the street.

Elevated six feet above the square, the expansion of the Walnut Street lobby required a new design of the stairs leading to the elevated platform to meet accessibility requirements. A new stone shelf with precast grooved concrete panels matching the existing color palette adds a decorative touch.

In the interior, the foyer offers a modern look and at the same time is warm and welcoming to the public. DCM worked to replicate the solid geometry of the façade by drawing stripes on the terrazzo floor and shadow lines between the wall finishes. Different materials were used to differentiate the spaces within the portal. From the street, visitors enter a double-height space with reflective glass ceiling panels and light-coloured marble cladding; grooved to match the texture used in the exterior concrete panels. The security checkpoint area with baggage and body scanners has LED strip lighting in linear fosseados on the ceiling. Perforated wood panels cover the new explosion-resistant concrete walls, creating a softer color scheme and at the same time helping to reduce noise. Underfloor heating helps relieve cold drafts in winter.

Composite panels completely separate the central exit corridor from the two entrances. Finished in brushed aluminum and mimicking the perforation of wood panels, these panels allow guards to see the exit corridor while maintaining access control.

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Architects
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DCM Architecture & Engineering LLC. Design Project Manager.- Alvar Cortada, Barry Wood.
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Collaborators
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Design Contributors.-Bruce Thomas, Jaume Molins. Project Engineer.-Robert Benson. Construction Project Manager.- Robert Benson. Construction partners.- Denis Bondoc, Sergiy Nikeyev, Dave Hamilton, Vassili. Dattner Architects. Structure.- Urban Engineers. Explosions Study.- Applied Research Associates. Lighting.- Roberto J. Gómez. Locksmithing.- DS Specialties INC.
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Client
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Government of the United States
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Area
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288m²
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Manufactured products
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Razortoothdesign.- Perforated aluminium composite panels. EXYD-M.- Hammered stainless steel false ceiling panels. Concrete East - Precast concrete panels (GFRC). DCM.- Perforated wood panels. Deppglass.- Decorative reflective laminated glass. Prelco.- Explosion resistant glass. DS specialties.- Explosion resistant curtain wall profiles.
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Dates
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2018
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Location
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970 Broad St. Newark NJ, USA
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DCM Architecture & Engineering LLC. Founded in 2006 by Robert Benson and Eduardo Guzman; an engineer and an architect who understood that high performance can only be achieved through the application of a fully integrated multidisciplinary design, with experience in design, construction and maintenance to each project. After leaving their previous design firms, they moved to Camden, New Jersey, renting space at the Rutgers University School of Business Small Business Incubator.

First place nationally in the ABC Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction®. New Jersey, 2017. Construction Merit Award. New Jersey, 2017.
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Published on: July 1, 2019
Cite: "New lobby in the federal building Peter W. Rodino by DCM Architecture & Engineering LLC" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/new-lobby-federal-building-peter-w-rodino-dcm-architecture-engineering-llc> ISSN 1139-6415
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