The International Spy Museum embarked upon construction of a new permanent home in southwest Washington, DC, a few blocks from the National Mall. The new landmark building is a permanent cultural resource at L’Enfant Plaza. At 140,000 square feet, the new museum provides more than double the floor space of the previous home. It includes new resources for educational programming, a lecture hall/theater, and a multi-function event space with sweeping views of DC.

Throughout nine months, F&R provided pre-construction surveys and vibration monitoring services during construction activities. The potential impact of adjacent construction on occupied buildings, sensitive facades, and historic structures concerned the owner and the construction team. F&R’s monitoring team specifically provided pre-construction surveys consisting of photographic and video records of the existing garage levels below the proposed structure, an adjacent Metro station, office spaces, hardscapes, and above-ground utility systems.

The team also performed vibration monitoring in various locations adjacent to and below the proposed site to supplement the findings of the pre-construction survey and help quantify potential vibrations associated with adjoining construction activities. Monitoring was conducted during demolition, pile driving, site excavation activities, and below-grade construction.