The new U.S. Diplomacy Center, located within the U-shaped footprint of the State Department’s Truman Building headquarters, was envisioned as a museum and learning center to tell the story of American diplomacy through interactive exhibits and thought-provoking education programs. Designed by Beyer Blinder Belle, the building complements the landmark former Department of War building where Secretary of State George C. Marshall held office. After F&R’s work on the project, the pavilion had completed Phase I of construction and was slated to begin the next phase of historic preservation and the addition of museum space.

F&R provided materials testing and inspections services during Phase I of construction of the addition of a 20,422-square-foot two-story glass pavilion. Over 20 months, our engineering technicians and inspectors were on-site and in the laboratory conducting soils testing (including moisture content analysis, soil classification, observation of subgrades, and density testing of compacted soil fill), observation and monitoring of the installation of drilled piers (caissons), testing of cast-in-pace concrete for slump, air content and temperature, structural steel inspections, and spray applied fireproofing inspections.

Because the new construction was Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® (LEED) Intended, F&R’s environmental team conducted an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment of the building addition to the existing Marshall Wing of the Department of State Truman Building. This LEED® Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Assessment aimed to evaluate specific air quality parameters to determine if they met the LEED® criteria.