Eduardo Castro was project manager for the structural and blast engineering design for a design-build modernization of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, DC. The National Historic Landmark was constructed over a period of 17 years from 1871 to 1888.
The primary goals of the project were to upgrade and modernize the building’s mechanical and telecommunications, enhance security measures, and preserve and restore the historic fabric of the building. The structural work consisted of significant modifications to the building to accommodate the new mechanical systems and design of two new central utility plant structures.
New mechanical systems were installed in expanded wall chases located within the existing interior and exterior masonry bearing walls to carry the new services vertically over the height of the building.
In addition, the existing structural systems were evaluated to support new floor loads associated with new mechanical equipment and new occupancies of existing spaces. Floor systems throughout the building were modified to accommodate floor penetrations for new mechanical equipment and new egress stairways.
New central utility plants were constructed in the existing north and south courtyards of the building. Each structure consists of a two-story, reinforced concrete vault space that supports a two-story structural steel mechanical pavilion. The concrete vault structures extend one- story below the foundations of the surrounding building. Underpinning, stepping of the new foundation systems, and cantilevering of elevated slabs were all utilized to minimize the impacts of the new structures on adjacent foundations.
Blast and physical security design improvements included provisions to enhance the building’s force protection capabilities against blast, ballistic and intelligence threats.
