The Census Bureau complex is a study in how to design a very large corporate campus with minimal impact to its site through sustainable design, while exploring an architectural expression that celebrates and heightens its relationship to the landscape.

Project Facts

Completion Year: 2007
Site Area: 30 acres
Project Area: 1,508,013 ft²

Project Awards

2002 • U.S. General Services Administration • Design Award: On the Boards Citation
2005 • AIA - New York City Chapter • Design Award: Project
2005 • Miami Architectural Bienal • Gold Metal: Buildings over 10,000 Square Feet
2007 • AIA - New York City Chapter • Design Award: Architecture
2007 • AIA - New York City Chapter • Interior Architecture of Interest to the Public Realm
2007 • AIA - New York State • Design Award: Institutional, Award of Excellence
2007 • AIA - New York State • Design Award: Interiors, Citation for Design
2007 • BusinessWeek/Architectural Record • Good Design is Good Business: Award of Excellence
2007 • International Interior Design Association / Metropolis • Smart Environments Award
2007 • U.S. General Services Administration • Sustainability/Workplace Environment Citation

The 2.5 million sf Census Bureau complex is a study in designing a very large corporate campus with minimal impact to its site by adopting sustainable measures and principles. Comprised of 1,500,000 sf of offices for 6,000 employees, with associated support programs, the Census Bureau incorporates water reclamation, recycled building materials, solar collection systems, underfloor air distribution and naturally daylit building interiors into its design.

In addition, the building’s shape, massing, cladding and roofing materials were all selected to explore the architectural expression of sustainable architecture. The building takes full advantage of its natural surroundings, maximizing views of the adjacent Nature Preserve and Community Gardens. With its wood-clad offices and ivy-draped parking structures, the Census Bureau blurs the distinction between the building and its landscape, making it a truly 21st-century landmark.

The US Census Bureau Headquarters is the first federal government office building that was designed and constructed to achieve a LEED® Silver rating.