The REACH – John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., USA

The REACH expansion adds much-needed rehearsal, education, and a range of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces to allow the Kennedy Center to continue to play a leadership role in providing artistic and cultural opportunities. Three pavilions are interconnected below green roofs and offer space for open studios, rehearsals, performances and art.
Embedding much of the expansion under a green landscape offers public space as well as views on the surrounding nature from the inside. The green roof is the largest in Washington, D.C. at approximately 69,000 sf.
The titanium white concrete pavilions gently curve to catch daylight for the interior. Through etching the glass, and sandwiching translucent white films between layers, luminous surfaces diffuse light deep into the interior, and glow outward at night. Windows are positioned to provide views through the full depth of the interior, from the entry lobby though rehearsal and event spaces to the river and landscape beyond. Displacement ventilation supports comfortable temperature stratification in the large spaces with high ceilings. Windows can be opened for fresh air when needed in several rooms. Radiant floors in the annex support heating and cooling supplied by sixty geothermal wells, installed beneath the gardens.
LEED Gold certification is expected.