PROJECT Maren
ARCHITECT SK+I Architecture
LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  12/16/2020
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Sami Kirkdil, FAIA; Jon Wallenmeyer, AIA; Marius Radulescu, AIA; Virginia Carnrick, Assoc. AIA; Tim Laubacker, AIA; Chris Huffer, AIA; Guclu Durusoy, AIA
OWNER/CLIENT Florida Rock Properties / David DeVilliers & MRP Realty / John Begert
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Paradigm / Chuck Monnig
PHOTOGRAPHER  David Madison; Max Zhang
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Oculus / Don Hoover & Liam Butt
CIVIL ENGINEER Bohler DC / Sheila Nale
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER SK&A Structural Engineers / Daniel Cocciardi
MECHANICAL ENGINEER Jordan & Skala Engineers / Chris McDaniel
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Power Design / Brian LeBlanc & Francesco Bianco
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Maren, the second phase of a six-acre, four-building Riverfront redevelopment project, takes full advantage of its location at the Waterfront. The 13-story, multifamily, mixed-use tower is located on the site of a former cement plant in Southeast Washington, DC and is positioned directly between Nationals Park and the Anacostia River. This LEED Gold building accentuates its prime location, site history, and unique neighborhood through its form and materials selection.

The building site is located within a demanding pedestrian environment that mandates an accessible, public, and attractive ground plane on all sides of the building – the building has no backside. The RiverWalk end of the building is not automobile accessible but promotes retail to support the festival character of the RiverWalk. The entry lobby is located on Potomac Ave opposite the stadium. A two-story-tall connecting open passage thru the building, allows the lanes to be connected and is a discrete location for resident garage access and loading for the building. Retail fills the balance of the ground floor at the water end of the building and fronts onto and brings amenity to the RiverWalk Trail. A great deal of effort went in to making this retail as visible and attractive as possible, from Potomac Avenue, the laneways, and from the Trail itself. To increase the visibility of the base of the building and make it more open, public, and transparent, the building is lifted on two-story piloti. The private, apartment realm is located up above and the entirety of the ground floor feels open and public. This entire area; Potomac Avenue, the laneways, the RiverWalk are all easily seen and accessed by pedestrians.

The team maximized the views of the Anacostia River and city riverfront in two ways; from the units themselves, and from the roof top amenity deck. From the units, diagonal views from the long facades are enhanced with a saw-toothed surface, floor to ceiling glass, and extensive balconies. The river end of the building hosts the largest units in the program and also employs an extensive use of balconies. The stadium end reduces the extent of balconies, instead employing expanses of glass to provide views of the stadium and cityscape beyond. The roof deck is located at the river end of the building and offers panoramic views while featuring a fitness center, club room, private grilling terraces, an infinity edge pool, and lush green roofs.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

“The solution of lifting the architecture to appear to be floating, supported with the angled pipe columns, works well to integrate and connect the plaza. This recessed podium also enhances the sense of arrival and entry to the building. The sawtooth façades provide a playful and animated display of reflection. Depending on the angle it can seem untidy to the west or formally organized to the east. The choice of materials and proportions match and complement future phases. The jury felt the architecture of this project contributes to the overall urban context and a meaningful addition to the district.” –Jose Lobo

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Elevation from the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge; © David Madison Photography Inc
2. Elevation from Potomac Ave SE; Iris22 Productions LLC
3. Unit interior; © David Madison Photography Inc
4. Roof deck; © David Madison Photography Inc
5. Sawtooth building façades; Iris22 Productions LLC
6. Connections between the stadium and the river; Iris22 Productions LLC
7. Two-story connection thru the building; Iris22 Productions LLC
8. Maren at night; © David Madison Photography Inc