Volta Bureau - A. G. Bell Association for the Deaf,
Washington DC

Originally designed and built in 1895 by Alexander Graham Bell with Peabody and Stearns Architects, Boston, the Volta Bureau was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1974 both for its architectural significance and the historic significance of its founder whose house and laboratory were across the street. The building has served as the home of the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the past last 105 years

The project consists of a complete renovation and a rooftop addition to the Landmark building in the Georgetown Historic District, including architectural changes to the interior layout, new HVAC and lighting systems, design of office partitioning system. and general renovations to insure compliance with building code and ADA requirements. Additionally, on the the south facade terra cotta surrounds were added and steel casements were replaced with custom wood windows to more closely approximate the original Peabody and Stearns fenestration which had been completed removed in the comprehensive renovation carried out in 1940.

In addition to obtaining approval for the roof top addition and driveway modifications from the Old Georgetown Board of the Commission of Fine Arts, we secured from the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustment two zoning variances for the project (alteration to a building devoted to a non-conforming use in R-3 Zone and fourth story addition to a building in the R-3 Zone) and also received a construction code variance for a single exit building from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs.