German Marshall Fund

The GMF is an independent organization endowed by the Federal Republic of Germany in gratitude for the Marshall Plan, for the rebuilding of Western Europe after WWII. Its mission is to promote cooperation between the "old" and "new" worlds, in the Arts, Economics, Political and Military affairs. The GMF acquired a stately mansion and adjacent row house in the historic, "Embassy Row", Dupont circle neighborhood of Washington DC for their new global Headquarters. The design parti gives architectural expression to the mission statement of the organization with the harmonious integration of the old and new, traditional and modern; large and small, as a metaphor of how it is possible for the old and new world to maintain their individual identity and work together for a whole greater than the sum of their parts. The project called for the integration of the interior spaces of the row house and mansion. Both required historic preservation of the original limestone and brick facades as well as historic restoration of the elegant interior staterooms in the mansion. The project required a complete reconstruction, of the row house behind its ornate brick facade, the addition of a fourth floor, excavation of the existing basement and the addition of a new stair and elevator towers for a state of the art Class A office, conference and reception venue.