Masonry Magazine May 1980 Page. 9
Architect
Collins & Kronstadt, Leahy, Hogan, Collins and Draper. Design by Arnold Kronstadt and Michael Leahy. Project Architect: Manuel Sanchez.
Engineer
Peter Dragon
Mason Contractor
Bricklaying, Inc.
General Contractor
Donohoe Construction Co., Inc.
Visitors to the Washington, D.C., area who arrive via Dulles International Airport may wonder about the identity of a striking, contemporary-style building near the airport, just off the Dulles access highway in Herndon, Virginia. The recently dedicated structure is the new and permanent home of the National Concrete Masonry Association.
NCMA's move to its own building culminated a long effort to consolidate the Association's administrative offices and research laboratory, previously located many miles distant from NCMA's former location due to zoning restrictions. The new building incorporates NCMA's representational, marketing and technical/research functions in one handsome structure which also serves as a showcase for the products of the industry NCMA represents: virtually the entire building is constructed of concrete masonry, inside and out.
Much of the research and development which spurred the growth of concrete masonry into a $1.7 billion industry is reflected in the NCMA building several of the innovations in concrete block shapes and textures which NCMA either pioneered or promoted are integrated in the structure.
The facade of the building is of earth-colored, four-inch split ribbed concrete masonry units, backed up with six-inch scored units (either lightweight, regular block or ground face block). Walls contain pre-molded polystyrene insulation inserts in the block cores: granular insulation is also employed. All windows, including the skylights, are double glazed. This further reduces energy consumption while effectively blocking aircraft and highway noise. These insulating features, combined with the inherent "mass" effect of concrete masonry, make the 30.000 square-foot NCMA building extremely energy efficient. (The mass effect means that it takes six or seven hours for heat or cold to penetrate the interior of the building.)
Also employed in the building, in the vestibule, garden courtyard, patio and exterior entrance and walkway areas, are concrete masonry paving blocks, long popular in Europe and now one of the fastest rising "stars" in the concrete masonry market in this country.
Offices and other interior areas in the NCMA building were professionally decorated. Enhancing the interior are several specially commissioned artworks, including paintings and tapestries by Washington, D.C. area artists. The two interior garden courtyards were also professionally planned and executed.
Facilities in the new building include a large, skylit reception area; executive and support staff offices; a conference room: a meeting room and board room which are also available for use by industry-allied groups; a large mailroom featuring one wall of special sound-absorbent block; a kitchen and