PROJECT The George
LOCATION Wheaton, Maryland US
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE 8/1/2015
ARCHITECT Bonstra | Haresign Architects
ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT/DESIGNER
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM David Haresign, FAIA; Rob McClennan, AIA; John Edwards, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP; Brian Forehand, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP; Victoria Kulbick, Assoc. AIA; Anne Kummer
OWNER/CLIENT Lowe Enterprises
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
PHOTOGRAPHER Anice Hoachlander
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER Johnson Bernat Associates
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Rathgeber Goss Associates
MECHANICAL ENGINEER JennERIK Engineering; Brothers Ductwork HVAC, Inc. (Design Build)
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER J.E. Richards, Inc. (Design Build)
CONSULTANT Plumbing Engineer: Madison Mechanical, Inc. (Design Build)
CONSULTANT Interior Design: SR/A Interior Design
CONSULTANT Lighting: Gilmore Lighting Design
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The George models successfully repurposing and densifying an obsolete building into a vibrant contributor to a recently up-zoned, transit rich neighborhood. Beginning with the underutilized 1960’s office building, 7 additional stories are added to the existing 5-story structure to create a 12-story contemporary apartment tower featuring 194 residences, with spacious amenities including rooftop deck, club room, and fitness center. The addition is carefully integrated into the original fabric of the existing building, retaining 80% of the original brick skin. The 60’ width of the existing structure is the perfect dimension for a double-loaded corridor opening onto light-filled, efficient apartments.
The existing concrete frame and footings designed for office use provided nearly two and half times the required live loads for today’s multifamily residential buildings, allowing for the addition with no reinforcement of the existing structure. A new structural steel frame clad in sympathetic masonry, stucco, metal composite panels, and new window systems create the addition. A carefully selected palette of materials and surface treatments – expressed tower, grid and north bay - knit together the new and old structures into an integrated composition. The strong vertical element located at the northwest corner of the building establishes a distinguished street identity for the building and highlights the entry. A metal super grid on the south façade creates a graphic billboard while tying old to new. A four-foot bay projection on the north adds area and caps the building with the amenity block.
Residential units offer higher than market ceiling height and volume, large window areas, and finishes with stainless steel appliances, wood plank flooring, glass tile backsplashes, washer and dryer and keyless door entry. The mix of predominantly junior one-bedroom apartments – a studio w/ an offset that creates privacy – maximizes both unit yield and affordably sized units. The twelfth floor is dedicated to amenity spaces designed to promote tenant interaction and to take advantage of the building’s towering presence above the adjacent properties. A full kitchen, televisions, WiFi, gaming stations, tables and furniture allows a dedicated resident services coordinator to create a robust calendar of social activities, creating a strong sense of community and bonding among residents. A floor-to-ceiling glass bay in the club room connects to the inviting rooftop deck with its outdoor grilling, lounging and dining areas all built around an 8' x 14' water feature with a center, elevated fire element. A separate rooftop fitness facility also overlooks the outdoor patio and offers great views of the surrounding area and to the Washington Monument on the southern horizon. The project, the first site plan permit approved by the Montgomery County Planning Commission under the new Wheaton Sector Plan, has achieved LEED certification.
JURY COMMENTS (If Applicable)
Reusing existing buildings is one of the most sustainable acts owners and architects can make to support a healthier environment. This project is an extreme example of reuse and transformation. The architects capitalized on all that was existing and transformed the site/building into a great place to live.
The jury noted the excellent organization of the exterior massing and articulation that gives this project a modern presence.
We loved how this project incorporated the original office building into the composition of the new building in such a thoughtful way. The owner and architect should be commended for working within the constraints of the existing structure. The language of the original building sets an agenda for new construction in a way that doesn’t imitate. The subtle layering of new elements references and reinterprets the original in a fresh and modern way.
MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF
IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Newly transformed tower facing northeast across Georgia Avenue; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
2. Newly transformed tower facing southeast across Georgia Avenue; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
3. Georgia Avenue skyline facing east; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
4. Lobby seating area; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
5. Northwest corner living space; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
6. Penthouse club room; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
7. Penthouse clubroom; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
8. Rooftop terrace at night with water feature; ©Hoachlander Davis Photography
The George
Category
Local > AIA Potomac Valley > Multi-Family Architecture (AIA Potomac Valley)
Winner Status
- Merit Award
Share