The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded Clark Construction a $524-million contract for the new 630,000-sq-ft Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) headquarters in Washington, D.C. This project is poised to set a new benchmark for sustainability in federal buildings within the region.
According to GSA officials, the building is expected to achieve energy use intensity (EUI) that is 72% lower than that of typical office buildings in D.C. ZGF Architects and Olin Studio have designed the headquarters with a focus on low embodied-carbon materials and advanced sustainable systems. These include a high-performance building envelope, chilled beams, advanced lighting controls, and an energy-efficient outdoor air system with demand-controlled ventilation.
Elliot Doomes, GSA’s Public Buildings Service Commissioner, highlighted the project’s role in demonstrating sustainable practices. The CISA headquarters is the largest project funded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, with $115.8 million allocated—$80 million for low embodied-carbon materials and $35 million for high-performance features. This investment aligns with the Biden administration’s federal sustainability plan and Buy Clean initiative, which emphasizes reducing greenhouse gas emissions during material production.
Located on the 176-acre St. Elizabeths West Campus, the new headquarters will continue the work Clark Construction began with the $435-million U.S. Coast Guard headquarters over a decade ago. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including CISA, is consolidating its offices at this site.
Joe Hogan, Clark’s Group CEO, stated, “This facility will enhance our nation’s cyber defenses while establishing new standards for sustainability in federal construction.”
