PROJECT Writer's Center
LOCATION Bethesda, Maryland US
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 10/15/2018
ARCHITECT McInturff Architects
ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT/DESIGNER
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM Mark McInturff FAIA, Colleen Gove Healey AIA, Julia Heine, Jeffrey McInturff
OWNER/CLIENT The Writer's Center
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Added Dimensions / Alan Kanner
PHOTOGRAPHER Julia Heine
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Phase 1 Peter Neubauer / Phase 2 Christopher Cobb
MECHANICAL ENGINEER See Electrical
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER WEIGAND ASSOCIATES / MICHAEL WEIGAND - phase 2
CONSULTANT CODE CONSULTANT, ROCK MENG, CAPITOL FPE, LLC
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The Bethesda Youth Center, located just off Wisconsin Avenue in down-town Bethesda, was designed in the 1960's by the young firm of Keyes Lethbridge & Condon, who would go on to play a major role in the modern development of the Washington area. The Montgomery County-owned venue provided the local teenage community (including the architect of this renovation) with classes, dances, and other social activities.
The youth center closed in 1970, and the building spiraled downward over the years, serving a variety of uses but chronically uncared for and poorly maintained.
Present day, and this midcentury modern building is now leased from the County and serves as the home of the Writer’s Center. The nonprofit community-centered organization is dedicated to the creation of an independent home for the literary arts, nurturing writing talent and celebrating writers through classes, workshops, publications, and readings
The building was renovated in two phases . The first reorganized the lower level, basically a basement except for one line of high windows above a service ramp. Largely uninhabitable spaces were recaptured, asbestos abated, and offices and classrooms were reconfigured, brightened, and rejuvenated. Restrooms and other spaces were made ADA compliant in preparation for the second phase, which would make the building fully accessible.
The now-efficient plan allowed space for additional classrooms, a lounge/coffee area, and the creation of a Writer’s Studio. Here, local writers can come and work private work stations, on their own schedules; lockers in the lounge area are available to rent.
The removal of a dropped ceiling revealed the main floor structural system, a cast-in-place concrete waffle slab, now exposed and painted white. Daylight is maximized throughout by taking advantage of the windows along the original service ramp; glass walls in the classrooms extend the natural light into the formerly windowless spaces. Douglas fir woodwork and punches of vivid color further enliven what still is, but no longer feels like, a basement level.
The second phase involved renovating the front of house and the front of building.
Beginning at the sidewalk, the site and building were made accessible and welcoming in equal measure. A porch/ramp/ stair assembly was layered on to the existing facade to accomplish both goals, while playing off the original structure and rhythms, all in a lighter and more delicate vocabulary.
Within, a new lift provides access to the lower level, the entry is opened up, the reception and office areas reconfigured.
Sustainability and Community
"The greenest building is the one that is already there”
For generations, this place has provided community. As Bethesda has grown up around it, the little building has seen it all—as the center of a low-rise exurban community, to a player in the physical and cultural expansion of Bethesda, to, now, part of an urban center.
The preservation of this quality midcentury work, the commitment to accessibility, and the projection of a new cultural role in the community assures a continued life and sustainable future for this building.
JURY COMMENTS (If Applicable)
A beautiful transformation of an existing building into a modern civic place. The interiors are well thought out and crafted, reinforcing the transformation. The incorporation of daylighting through all of the interior maintains the late modern feel of the existing building.
Really nice upgrade to a beautiful mid-century structure. We appreciated the humble interior interventions, and the restraint the design team used in exterior alterations.
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF
IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Image by Firm.
2. Front facade with newly ADA compliant entry. Image by Firm.
3. Lower level Writer's Studio. Image by Firm
4. Entry Lobby. Image by Firm
5. Stair to lower level. Image by Firm
6. Column & beam detail at entry. Image by Firm.
7. Detail of new accessible entry sequence. Image by Firm
8. Gallery. Image by Firm
Writer's Center
Category
Local > AIA Potomac Valley > Institutional Architecture (AIA Potomac Valley)
Winner Status
- Merit Award
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