PROJECT OSLOadmo
LOCATION Washington, District of Columbia US
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 10/1/2018
ARCHITECT McInturff Architects
ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT/DESIGNER
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM Mark McInturff FAIA Peter Noonan AIA
OWNER/CLIENT Ditto Residential / Martin Ditto
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Ezra Hercenberg / Harbor Builders
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Lila Fendrick Landscape Architecture and Garden Design
PHOTOGRAPHER Julia Heine juliaheinedc@gmail.com
CIVIL ENGINEER CAS Engineering DC, LLC David C. Landsman, PE,LEED AP
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Ryan Sarazen, PE Structura Inc.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER WB Engineers+Consultants Jesse Fisher, PE, CPD Glenn Sanford, LEED AP
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
CONSULTANT Lighting Consultant Quinn Murph Pro Design Distribution qm@pro-distro.com
CONSULTANT Stair by Hiroshi Jacobs
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
We were asked to design an eight-unit apartment building, composed of 2-4 bedroom units and targeted to DC’s young urban singles. The premise that the city was the true living and dining room was embraced. With an eye to that, the number of bedrooms, most with en suite bath, was to be maximized, and the common living spaces were to be airy, efficient, and smaller in size.
The site fronts on a street of historic townhouses and has alleys both side and rear. We quickly realized that maximizing the by-rights footprint would also allow open space somewhere in the program. Rather than putting this in the rear, we chose to locate it in the middle, as a courtyard, creating an outdoor room for use by all of the residents. The courtyard also helps to break down the bulk of the alley side of the building, which could have been overbearing to the single family townhouses on the other side of the alley, and allowed the units to have cross-ventilation and natural light on three sides.
All units are connected by a central hall and stair that overlooks the courtyard, so the sense of community fostered by the courtyard is central to the experience of all of the residents in their day to day comings and goings.
On the street, the rhythm of adjacent town houses influenced the massing of the facade. The two alley facades are also treated as architecturally important, in acknowledgement of urban pedestrian circulation patterns.
The required Green Area Ratio was achieved through a system of planters in front, rear, and along the courtyard, and a vegetated green roof. Bike lockers are provided in the basement.
The central metal stair was commissioned as part of VisionDC’s first Art Tank, a nonprofit program aimed at encouraging economic development through, and within, the creative community, and was designed by Hiroshi Jacobs.
JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)
This is a great infill project that is respectful of the scale and context of its neighbors. The courtyard is well proportioned with thoughtful material selection. The artist designed stair activates the courtyard in an unexpected way. It adds an element of delight. The rooms are filled with natural daylight.
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF
IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Julia Heine Courtyard at dusk looking into stair hall
2. Julia Heine Courtyard from side alley
3. Julia Heine V Street elevation
4. Julia Heine Center courtyard allows natural light into three sides of each unit
5. Julia Heine Alley elevation looking into central courtyard
6. Mark McInturff Courtyard from above
7. Julia Heine Front unit bay window
8. Mark McInturff Stair hall overlooks courtyard
OSLOadmo
Category
Local > AIA Potomac Valley > Multi-Family Architecture (AIA Potomac Valley)
Winner Status
- Citation Award
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