The U.S. Forest Service inhabits one of the more visible historical landmarks in Washington. The brick red Sidney Yates building, which opened its doors in 1880, sits at the edge of the National Mall. 

The Forest Service, which turns 110 this year, grew out of its headquarters space years ago and leased offices across the Potomac in Rosslyn, Virginia. After a seven-month, $30 million renovation, completed in January 2014, the agency now boasts some of the most modern workspace in the city. 

The goal was to create collaborative and shared workspaces that could accommodate many more employees. Building occupancy increased from 420 employees to about 800. The consolidation is saving the agency $5 million a year on rent and $200,000 a year on shuttle buses, along with tens of thousands of dollars in energy efficiencies.

Driving the renovation was the Forest Service’s expansive mission, encompassing millions of acres of wilderness, forest and grassland.

Translate that mission into an office, and you get vast open workspaces and beautiful nature themes. 

—Patrick Boynton and Susan Fourney

The challenge was to preserve the building’s historical features—like wrought iron railings and arched windows—while providing open, light and modern workspaces with Wi-Fi and soundproof technology.

The redesign includes themed floors that reflect the missions for managing natural resources and recreation. The ground level—the People’s floor—features resources, wilderness and recreation  scenes, and inviting seating areas. Other floors highlight watersheds, grasslands, forests and sky.

About 600 people have assigned workstations. (Equipped with wheels and cushions, your filing cabinet is also your visitor’s chair.) Other cubicles are shared by floaters, who work at home at least half the time. Many employees use lockers as “touchdown pads” before they find a shared space to work. Private spaces, or “phone booths,” are available on every floor.

The goal of the renovation was to provide more “we” space and less “me” space.  On the ground floor, a command center equipped with advanced technology is active when wildfires and other emergencies break out.

Instead of 40 to 50 private offices and seven conference rooms, there are now only eight private offices and more than 50 conference rooms, “phone booths” and meeting lounges. “Anchor points” are provided for secure photocopying and printing. And amenities include showers for employees who bike to work, pantries and health stations.