Farrand House
Project Context
Farrand House at Dumbarton Oaks is a new purpose-built education building constructed within the historic Dumbarton Oaks campus in Washington, DC. The project delivered a modern academic facility designed to complement the character of the surrounding historic estate while meeting contemporary functional and environmental performance standards.
Located within the Dumbarton Oaks research institute and gardens, the new building was designed to support the educational and academic mission of the campus. Dumbarton Oaks is a renowned research institution affiliated with Harvard University, known for its historic gardens and cultural programs. The project required careful integration of new construction within a sensitive historic campus context.
The work involved design coordination, site planning within the historic landscape, integration of modern building systems, and alignment with the broader Dumbarton Oaks campus context. Every decision required balancing the imperatives of historic campus stewardship with the functional demands of a modern education building.
Project Details
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Client
- Dumbarton Oaks
- Architect
- Selldorf Architects
- Construction Manager
- Consigli Construction
- Duration
- 6.5 Years
- Project Value
- $31.5M
- Project Type
- New Construction / Cultural Institution
- Sector
- Cultural & Arts
- Categories
- New Construction, Cultural Institution, Institutional Campus, Sustainability
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Delivery Challenge
The construction of Farrand House required careful coordination within the sensitive historic context of the Dumbarton Oaks campus. As a new building on a historic estate, the project demanded thoughtful site integration, environmental performance, and alignment with the institutional mission of the campus.
- Integrating new construction within a historically significant campus landscape
- Designing modern building systems to meet contemporary environmental performance standards
- Achieving architectural distinction while complementing the character of the historic estate
- Coordinating architectural, engineering, and institutional stakeholders across multiple disciplines
- Working within an active historic campus context while minimizing disruption to research operations
Owner-Side Advisory Role
Landmark Logix supported project leadership and coordination for the Farrand House construction, helping align institutional stakeholders, consultants, and project teams to support successful delivery of the project.
Project Highlights
Project Gallery
Project Progression
Planning & Design
Site analysis within the historic campus, programming, and development of the design strategy with Selldorf Architects
Design Development & Coordination
Architectural design development, construction management coordination with Consigli Construction, and alignment of campus context with institutional requirements
Construction
Site work, structural construction, building envelope, and integration of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems
Completion & Transition
Interior finishes, sustainability systems commissioning, and transition of the new education building to academic use within the Dumbarton Oaks campus
Key Achievements
Campus Integration
Successfully integrated new construction within the historic Dumbarton Oaks campus landscape while complementing the character of the surrounding estate
Environmental Performance
Achieved high-performance thermal comfort, daylighting, and energy efficiency through carefully integrated passive and active design strategies
Design Team Coordination
Successfully coordinated Selldorf Architects and Consigli Construction with institutional stakeholders
Campus Continuity
Completed construction without interrupting ongoing research activities and programs at Dumbarton Oaks
On Time & Budget
Delivered the $31.5M project within the planned timeline and budget parameters
Institutional Purpose
Delivered a purpose-built education building supporting the academic mission of the Dumbarton Oaks campus
Scope of Services
Landmark Logix provided owner-side project leadership and coordination services throughout all phases of the Farrand House project:
Planning & Design
- Pre-construction planning and budgeting
- Design review and coordination with Selldorf Architects
- Construction management coordination with Consigli Construction
- Historic campus context review and site coordination
- Contractor selection and procurement oversight
Construction & Delivery
- Construction oversight and quality assurance
- Schedule management and milestone tracking
- Budget control and cost management for $31.5M program
- Stakeholder communication and institutional coordination
- Risk management, commissioning, and project closeout
Advisory Services Applied
Explore the owner-side advisory capabilities relevant to this engagement.
Design & Regulatory Management
Independent design oversight, regulatory coordination, and compliance management that protects owner interests across permitting, preservation, and design phases.
Construction Management & Quality Control
Independent field oversight, quality assurance, and contractor accountability — ensuring what gets built matches what was designed and contracted.
Contract Administration & Risk Management
Owner-side contract oversight, change order management, risk visibility, and dispute prevention that keep projects on terms and on track.
Considering owner-side advisory for an institutional capital project?
Landmark Logix provides independent advisory and owner-side oversight to help institutions navigate complex construction and campus development programs.