Washington, DC (August 2016) Karn Charuhas Chapman & Twohey (KCCT) recently received final design approval from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts for the Perimeter Security Improvements plan for the U.S. Department of State, Harry S Truman Building. These improvements address the protection of employees and visitors, storm water management and pedestrian circulation around the site. Through close consultation with national and local stakeholders, the final plan integrates a new screening pavilion, permanent gate houses at the property entrances, a relocated truck inspection facility, an open perimeter barrier system, and enhanced landscaping which creates an attractive and pleasant pedestrian experience through the public realm.

Lead by the U.S. Department of State, other stakeholders and influential parties include the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC), U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, National Park Service, U.S. General Services Administration, DC State Historic Preservation Office, DC Office of Planning, and the DC Department of Transportation. 

The KCCT team is managed by Enrique A. Bellini, AIA, Principal and James Dudney, AIA, Associate. Other key consultants are Rhodeside & Harwell, Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture; Robinson and Associates, Architectural Historians; Wells Associates, Transportation Planning; Wiles Mensch Corporation, Civil Engineering; Johns & Bhatia, Structural Engineering; and EK Fox, MEP Engineering.

Firm History

Washington DC based KCCT is a multi-disciplinary design firm focused on planning, architecture, and interior design in urban environments. The firm’s unique practice features a regional portfolio of prominent new development, renovations and infrastructure in Washington’s Federal Core, and an international component including fourteen new US Diplomatic facilities and worldwide projects in more than 160 cities.