KGPdesign studio

KGP designed and created a design-build package for the new 60,000 square foot Commissioning and Testing Facility for WMATA’s new fleet of vehicles for the Silver Line.  The 2-story facility is in the existing Greenbelt yard and includes a 25,000 SF commissioning shop, which can accommodate eight new train cars. A crane system had to be structured into the building to move large sections of the train and equipment required to assemble the trains. Work pits were created below the track levels to allow workers to easily get under the trains during the assembly process. A large storage mezzanine is used for smaller parts and moving work deck could be used to work on the top of the trains.

A second level of offices, conference rooms and training spaces was placed over the assembly hall - which kept the site compact and allowed more space for the required wetlands. .  The facility was designed for and received LEED Silver certification.  Some methods used to achieve this rating were passive ventilation and cooling of the shop level, optimized daylighting in all spaces and mechanical shading louvers.