Since 1957, the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) has occupied two adjoining townhouses, built in 1910 and 1917, on R Street NW in the Dupont Circle Historic District. Originally built as residential buildings, the interiors were altered repeatedly over the years, losing much of their original architectural character and detailing while retaining much of their residential plan.
AAC&U engaged KSA to assess the buildings' condition and explore how they could be brought into compliance with modern life safety and accessibility standards. AAC&U wanted to transform and expand their existing workspaces into a modern light-filled and updated environment to foster its research, communications and outreach programs in support of colleges and universities in the US and globally.
The renovation strategy reimagines the townhouses as a unified, modern headquarters. A new addition on the south side of the building provides additional space to augment their current program space. On the ground floor, flexible gathering spaces open to a landscaped garden, creating a seamless setting for lectures, and formal and informal receptions and events. The second floor provides a mix of executive and administrative offices and a boardroom for informal meetings and formal association board meetings. The two upper floors provide private and shared offices for program directors and their staff. The offices are organized around collaboration zones, providing space for teamwork. On the lower level, a new workroom and podcast studio support AAC&U's digital outreach and communications programs.
Approvals from the BZA (Board of Zoning Adjustment), HPRB (Historic Preservation Review Board, and the ANC (Advisory Neighborhood Commission) were required for this project.
CLIENT:
American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U)
LOCATION:
Washington, DC
PROJECT SIZE:
14,500 GSF, Renovation: 1,500 GSF New
CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION:
Projected for December 2025
PHOTOGRAPHY:
@KSA
