PROJECT Upper Rock

LOCATION  Rockville, Maryland US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  8/15/2015

ARCHITECT Grimm + Parker Architects

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT  Interior design was completed by the Hartman Design Group

OWNER/CLIENT Gables Residential

CONTRACTOR / CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Gables Construction

PHOTOGRAPHER  John Cole Photography

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Logan Schutz, Mel Thompson, Antonio Rebelo, Melanie Hennigan, Azhar Ameen, Regina Clark

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

The Upper Rock District is comprised of 20 acres in Rockville, Maryland, approximately 25 miles north of Washington, DC. Located less than one mile from the Shady Grove Metro Station and within walking distance of a proposed light rail stop, the site is ideally positioned to become a dense, vibrant, transit-oriented development.

The vision was to create a ‘New Urbanist’ mixed-use community that was “based on a medieval grid, with sweeping curves that seek to make the green architecture explicit”. The vision for the development is that of a mixed-use, multi-family residential community with parking concealed below the buildings and a variety of small scale retail and commercial spaces.

Two of the community’s apartment buildings (Lots G and H) are entered into this design composition. These E-shaped buildings face the heart of Upper Rock district, with the wings forming four landscaped courtyards complete with a splash park and plaza between the buildings. The building entries are on-grade off the town center drive circle, with the parking garage below and lower drive-out to the rear.

Development constraints such as a requirement of 40% open space, an existing office building located in the middle of the site, a brownfield component, and major highways bordering the southern property line, dictated that the orientation of the buildings to be inwardly focused.

Brought back to life after a tragic fire dwindled one of the buildings to ashes as it neared completion, lots G and H convert 5.6 acres of previously underutilized commercial and storm water management land into a vibrant walkable community. Blocks G and H include over 400,000 sf of construction, with 276 residential units in four stories over a parking garage. The community offers a wide selection of floor plans, including one bedroom, two bedroom, and loft units. The residential units have been carefully crafted, boasting 9’ and 10’ ceilings, Corian countertops, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, and balconies.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF

IMAGE CAPTIONS & CREDITS

IMAGE 1  Upper Rock_thumbnail, Exterior, © John Cole

IMAGE 2  Upper Rock_high res, Exterior, © John Cole

IMAGE 3  Upper Rock_high res int, Interior, © John Cole

IMAGE 4  Upper Rock_IMG 4, Pool Deck, © John Cole

IMAGE 5  Upper Rock_IMG 5, Interior Commons, © John Cole

IMAGE 6  Upper Rock_IMG 6, Billiards Room, © John Cole

IMAGE 7  Upper Rock_IMG 7, Exterior view from Shady Grove Road, © John Cole

IMAGE 8  Upper Rock_IMG 8, Exterior Community Deck, © John Cole