Overview

Timmons Group, as part of the Hensel Phelps Design-Build Team, provided civil engineering, environmental, landscape architecture, land surveying and construction administration services for the $350 million MDIA Headquarters at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The Team also included Fentress Architects as the lead architect, Giuliani Associates as the Associate Architect, MC Dean as the design-build electrical and IT contractor and Limbach as the design-build mechanical contractor.

The MDIA Headquarters is a secure, state-of-the-art facility housing the headquarters operations for the following military investigative agencies: Naval Criminal Investigative Services, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Army Criminal Investigation Command, Counterintelligence Field Activity and the Defense Security Service. The new MDIA Headquarters will consolidate command and operations for the five agencies as part of the Federal Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) initiative. The project will also include substantial off-site road widening and bridge improvements, as well as improvements to the existing Ponderosa Gate on the Base.

The landscape design for MDIA Headquarters at Marine Corps Base Quantico combines habitat preservation and establishment with formal plazas and a variety of pedestrian experiences.

The project reforests and creates 2.5 acres of meadow. 80% of the planting consists of native species, reducing long term maintenance requirements and creating a bio-diverse landscape that will support wildlife and reflect the regional landscape. The main access loop is a boulevard with lush plantings that vary in height and texture from large and small trees to flowering shrubs and groundcovers.

A front plaza extends to a flag court that serves as a ceremonial space. The plaza provides both a visual and an experiential amenity. Pedestrian spines lined with large shade trees cut through the parking area and separate walkways from vehicular circulation. The formal plazas at each entry incorporate lush plantings and shaded seating. Employees can look out their windows to view the dense planting of native trees, shrubs, and meadow, or they can take a break and walk the trails through the space.