PROJECT  The Oliver

LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  7/23/2024

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Community Heritage: Situated at the northern gateway to Howard University in Washington, DC, The Oliver is a landmark thoughtfully designed to enhance student life while honoring the university’s storied heritage. This dynamic building seamlessly blends student residences with office spaces, including the Howard University Alumni Center, creating a vibrant hub that reflects and enriches the surrounding community. Photographer: Garrett Rowland
2. A Rhythmic Facade: A cantilevered roof and carefully composed arrangement of lit-shadow boxes, windows, and façade bands create a dynamic architectural rhythm inspired by the patterns of African weaving traditions. This layering crafts a compelling play of light, texture, and depth that brings the building to life. Photographer: Garrett Rowland
3. Workplace Identity: The Howard University Alumni Center transforms a workplace into an expression of institutional identity. A monumental stair and custom legacy wall anchor the design with illuminated portraits of distinguished alumni and a sculptural “Tree of Life” lighting installation. Photographer: Garrett Rowland
4. Cultivating Connection: Thoughtfully designed collaborative spaces paired with Howard University's signature colors honor the University's rich alumni legacy while inspiring the next generation of leaders to connect, collaborate, and innovate. Photographer: Garrett Rowland
5. Light + Texture: Window shadow boxes create a dynamic interplay of depth, shadow, and texture across the façade, adding dimension and visual rhythm. Integrated color-changing lighting allows the façade to transform for different campus events, celebrations, and moments of community engagement. Photographer: Garrett Rowland
6. Shaping Student Life: The residential floors are designed to support student life, balancing private living spaces with shared environments for study, wellness, and recreation. Carefully distributed common spaces encourage informal interaction while providing places for both collaboration and quiet reflection. Photographer: Garrett Rowland
7. Home for Students: Rhythmic window patterns animate the façade while framing dynamic city views from the unit interiors, reinforcing the connection between student living spaces and the urban landscape. Photographer: Laura Metzler
8. Terrace Retreat: The rooftop terrace provides panoramic views of Greene Stadium and the surrounding campus. Operable glazing systems and a thoughtfully designed terrace create a strong connection between indoor and outdoor communal spaces. Photographer: Garrett Rowland