Smithsonian Astrophysical Offices designed by Shoop:
The SAO is partially funded by private corporations and minimal construction expense was spent on the interior space. The main feature was the design of the entry threshold. (shown here to the left.) |
While
positioned as staff Architect for Porter Exchange Management,
Douglas Shoop was called on to design many of the new Tenants office spaces at Porter
Exchange. The largest tenant at that time to occupy the building was the Smithsonian
Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) corporate offices. SAO occupies over 55,000
sq. ft. of
Offices and Labs at Porter Exchange. Shoop was asked to design over 100 offices
surrounding over 6,000 sq. ft. of "Clean Room" lab space. With a requirement
for standardization of spaces, long hallways were broken up by atrium openings and
interior glass wells to take advantage of the existing floor openings from the first floor
mall. The "Line Company" was chosen as Architect of record to assist Shoop
in the execution of his design.