PROJECT  4909 Auburn

ARCHITECT  BCT Architects

LOCATION  Bethesda, Maryland, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  4/1/2025

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Undisclosed
OWNER/CLIENT  Auburn Building Associates
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Donohoe Construction Company
PHOTOGRAPHER  Nate Smith Photography
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT VIKA Maryland
CIVIL ENGINEER VIKA Maryland
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER  SK&A Engineers
MECHANICAL ENGINEER  SSA Engineering
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER  SSA Engineering
CONSULTANT  Interior Designer / Gensler Architects / Brad_Colley@gensler.com
CONSULTANT  Sustainability Constultant / Lorax Partnerships LLC / tim@loraxllc.com
CONSULTANT  Green Roof / TWS Design Inc / tina@twsdesign.com
CONSULTANT  Lighting Consultant / Hartranft Lighting Studios / andrea@adhlighting.com
CONSULTANT  Acoustical Consultant / Hush Acoustics / gary@hushacoustics.com
CONSULTANT  Development Consultant / Potomac Development Group / jparana@potomacdevgrp.com
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  
At the intersection of Norfolk and Auburn Avenues in Bethesda’s dynamic Woodmont Triangle, 4909 Auburn emerges as a sculpted response to its urban skyline—a residential development that eases the transition between the city’s high-rise business core and the quieter scale of surrounding neighborhoods. The building’s stepped massing, articulated through a series of simple geometric forms, not only softens its visual presence but also establishes a vertical rhythm that mirrors the architectural cadence of the city.

Guided by three primary design strategies—Neighborhood Connections, Building Forms, and The Green Network—the project weaves together architecture, ecology, and community in a cohesive urban gesture.

Neighborhood Connections are embodied in the building’s mid-block pedestrian passage, which links Norfolk Avenue directly to Battery Lane Urban Park. This paseo is more than a shortcut; it’s a landscaped spine that introduces permeability, enhances walkability, and connects the project to the larger public realm.

Building Forms are expressed through a composition of stacked volumes that step down dramatically to the west, aligning with the scale of nearby homes. Carefully framed window and balcony openings emphasize the building’s clean geometry, while subtle shifts in volume create human-scaled moments of relief. This approach doesn’t attempt to solve every urban challenge with noise—but rather through carefully modulated form, purposeful restraint, and a quiet confidence that allows the building to both anchor and elevate its place in the city.

The Green Network reinforces this strategy from the ground up. The landscaped mid-block paseo flows seamlessly into a series of planted terraces that cascade down the building’s western façade. These accessible green spaces, along with four rooftop decks, support native Maryland plantings, filter stormwater, reduce heat island impacts, and promote biodiversity—transforming sustainability into an experiential amenity.

Spanning more than 253,000 square feet, the building includes 167 residential units ranging in size to accommodate diverse household types, including integrated Moderately Priced Dwelling Units (MPDUs) for greater housing access. Ground-floor retail and office space create an active streetscape, while shared amenities like a fitness center and multiple outdoor terraces offer opportunities for gathering, relaxation, and wellness.

Certified to NGBS Emerald standards, the project incorporates a centralized mechanical system, high-efficiency fixtures, and a performance-driven envelope—all contributing to its long-term environmental efficiency. In a bold move to support a more sustainable and walkable urban lifestyle, the development minimizes on-site parking by leveraging an existing garage across the street—reducing the building’s footprint and embodied carbon while enhancing connectivity to transit. Its 93 Walk Score is a testament to this vision.

4909 Auburn is the outcome of purposeful design strategies that align sustainability, functionality, and community, resulting in a vibrant and enduring residential environment.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. View of building from northeast corner - Nate Smith Photography
2. Interior Lobby - Nate Smith Photography
3. Street level view of mid -block neighborhood connection and ground floor retail. - Nate Smith Photography
4. Northwest building facade with simple building forms stepping down to residentilal neighborhood - Nate Smith Photography
5. Aerial view of rooftop and terrace greenspace - Nate Smith Photography
6. Rooftop terraces and greenspace - Nate Smith Photography
7. Pedestrian walkway leading from Battery Lane Park back to building - Nate Smith Photography
8. Penthouse common space with access to rooftop terrace - Nate Smith Photography