Our team has developed a conceptual building design for Innovation Research 1 located on Innovation Drive in Manassas. The main structural element is a mono-sloped building with a clear span for flexibility inside and a high ceiling if needed.  The entrance area would be conventionally framed.

For the exterior design, our thoughts are to have an abstract feature of a molecule (the arc and red sphere) as the entrance identifier.  We are also breaking up the massing of the façade with a metal mesh application.  This is a less costly option versus modulating the actual building footprint and keeps the interior consistent.

Along with the mesh, we are introducing an arced canopy to loosen the rigid building form.  We want this lit up at night to create a high tech look with the yellow “binary” pattern.  These could be LED lit panels, windows, or painted panels.  We like the idea of a mix of LED panels and windows, depending on the interior layout.  The curved panel begins to reveal its structural components, going from solid to ribbed.  We think this arc would continue on in the interior with a ceiling application and connect to the arc canopy on the opposite side of the building.

As architects at Loveless Porter, this is the fun part of our job, collaborating with team members, having Charrettes, and creating something to present to the client and hoping they love it!