The Navy Exchange (NEX) at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, is more than a shopping center. It is a modern, centralized location where Navy personnel, rehabilitating veterans, military families, and retired soldiers can pick up prescriptions, go to a hairdresser, dine, and buy stamps in one outing. It is also the first Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) building designed and constructed to meet LEED Gold certification.

This 26-month, design-build project consisted of construction of a temporary 12,000 sq ft shopping center; demolition of a 20-year-old, 40,000 sq ft facility; and construction of a new two-story, 150,000 sq ft NEX and adjoining 196,400 sq ft parking structure. Offices for NEX management, administration, and sales operations were incorporated into the building’s unique design.