US Army Inter-American Defense College at Fort McNair Wins DBIA National Award of Merit

The historic restoration of the US Army Inter-American Defense College (IADC) at Fort McNair, designed by KCCT and constructed by Mortenson, was recognized with a Design Build Institute of America National Award of Merit, the project's fourth award this year.

The renovation transitioned the Fort McNair officers’ club into an education facility for the IADC, positioning the building to meet the goals of bringing together students from countries with different political, social, and economic viewpoints to capture the dynamics more fully within the hemisphere and develop collaborative responses to defense and security concerns.

“KCCT is honored to be selected by the National DBIA Award Committee for the renovation of the IADC,” said KCCT Principal Gayle Kirchmar. “Navigating a federal design-build historic renovation, KCCT was able to provide a design that restored this historic building to the original McKim, Mead & White intent while transforming it into a contemporary learning facility.”

The project team restored a 49-foot mural, recreated the original wooden entry door, relocated an historic archway, daylighted previously bricked-over windows, and added life safety systems that did not intrude the historic structure. The top two levels are referential to the historic design while the main level provides a teaching center to support active learning.

Views of North America by Views of North America by Jean-Julien Deltil

DBIA award winners are selected by a distinguished panel of industry experts and are recognized as the nation’s best design-build projects and leadership in best practices.

The project team was recognized at the DBIA Design-Build Conference & Expo Awards Ceremony. KCCT joined project partners US Army Corps of Engineers, Mortenson, and Rhodeside & Harwell onstage to accept the award.