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Project

NIST Radiation Physics Building Modernization

NIST Building 245 hosts research vital to our nation’s healthcare, environmental monitoring, radiation protection, and industrial processing.

Lead Contact

Project Details

Project Partners
ZGF Architects & Hensel Phelps
Owner
National Institute of Standards & Technology
Location
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Completion Date
Area
268,500 ft²
Sustainability
Targeting LEED Silver Certification
Project Awards

Associated General Contractors of America, Build America Award - Design-Build project, 2022

Design-Build Institute of America Mid-Atlantic, Excellence in Engineering, 2021

Engineering News Record Mid-Atlantic, Excellence in Safety Award of Merit, 2021

National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245
National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Courtesy Halkin Mason Photography, Hensel Phelps Construction
National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245
National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Courtesy Halkin Mason Photography, Hensel Phelps Construction
National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245
National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Courtesy Halkin Mason Photography, Hensel Phelps Construction
National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245
National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 245 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Courtesy National Institute of Standards and Technology

Overview

National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 245, also known as the Radiation Physics Building, hosts research vital to our nation’s healthcare, environmental monitoring, radiation protection, and industrial processing. The facility provides space for scientists and researchers to continue serving diverse business, agriculture and security interests while incorporating upcoming technologies.

We provided structural design, protective design and vibration engineering services to ZGF Architects and Hensel Phelps in support of Building 245’s modernization to support another 50 years of useful life of the building.

Highlights

  • The additions and renovation incorporated physical security and blast resistant design in accordance with an ISC Facility Security Level (FSL) III.
  • As the building houses research involving radioactive materials, radiation shielding requirements were incorporated into the structural design of slabs and walls, with some locations requiring embedded high density concrete block as well as up to 48 inch thick cast-in-place members.
  • The new addition houses many vibration sensitive spaces designed for criteria ranging from VA-A to VC-C.

Our Team