In a significant move towards enhancing national cybersecurity, the US General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded Clark Construction a $524 million contract to build the new headquarters for the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

CISA, a vital component of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is currently operating across multiple locations. As the driving force behind federal cybersecurity initiatives, CISA leads efforts to manage and mitigate risks to cyber and physical infrastructure.

One of CISA’s key initiatives, Secure by Design, focuses on integrating security measures into software development processes to ensure secure products. The new CISA headquarters, situated in Washington, DC’s St. Elizabeths West Campus, will span 630,000 square feet.

Setting the Bar for Sustainable Federal Buildings

Designed by ZGF Architects and Olin Studio, the new headquarters will embody sustainability with low embodied-carbon materials and innovative systems. From a high-performance envelope to chilled beams, advanced lighting controls, and energy-efficient ventilation systems, the building will prioritize green practices.

GSA estimates that the headquarters’ energy use intensity will be 72% lower than other office buildings in the region, aligning with the Biden administration’s commitment to achieving net-zero operational emissions for federal buildings. The project also supports the Buy Clean initiative by prioritizing materials with lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Of the total project cost, $115 million is funded through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Hunter Dyas, an associate at ZGF Architects, expressed excitement about the project’s focus on sustainability and advanced technology after years of design and planning.

“We are eager to bring the next level of sustainability, performance, and technology to life in this cutting-edge government headquarters,” Dyas shared on LinkedIn.