PROJECT  The Wren

LOCATION Washington, District of Columbia, US​

ARCHITECT Hord Coplan Macht

CLIENT MidAtlantic Realty Partners

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM Ross Davis, AIA, LEED AP; Frank Andre, AIA, LEED AP; Joe Schneider, AIA; Cheoly Cha, AIA; Sofia Pung, Assoc. AIA; Luke Petrusic, AIA; Alana Thurmond, Assoc. AIA; Brandon Robinson AIA, LEED AP
MV+A Architects - Retail Design, PNG Architects - Zoning Approval
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Oculus
CONTRACTOR John Moriarty & Associates

ENGINEERS
Smislova, Kehnemui, and Associates
Bowman Consulting Group, Ltd.
Jordan & Skala Engineers, Inc.
Jordan & Skala Engineers, Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHER Drawings and Diagrams: HCM / Photography: Anne Chan- HCM, Max Zhang- Iris 22, Kip Dawkins

CONSULTANTS (if applicable)
Interior Design - Street Sense Brian Miller bmiller@streetsense.com
Sustainability Consultant - Steven Winter Associates Joseph Andracchio jandracchio@swinter.com

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  8/20/2020

PROJECT SUMMARY
Located in Washington DC’s Shaw District, The Wren at 965 Florida Avenue is a mixed-use residential building with an anchor 43,077sf Whole Foods Grocery at ground level and a significant 433-unit, 12-story residential tower above. The project's design intent was to create a dynamic mixed-use multifamily building that realized its vision to support, extend, and elevate the local community. This was achieved programmatically, technically, and architecturally through a careful collaboration of local stakeholders and design professionals.

Providing both much needed housing and a grocery in this underserved neighborhood were both welcome components. The fact that there was an extraordinarily high proportion of affordable units at a low AMI, and that the grocery was large and specialized in healthy organic products only made it a more welcome addition.

Building on its healthy organic identity established by the Whole Foods anchor, as well as the rich industrial history of its neighborhood, the project’s design marries the two. The architectural expression is a contemporary interpretation of the historic steel frame and masonry industrial buildings that were once the hallmark of the historic district. The materiality and the tri-story frame provide natural texture and human scale that tie the high-rise building to the older building stock in adjoining blocks, while the prismatic glass bays tie the building to the contemporary city. These bays mark the gateway corners that bind the project to the larger neighborhood.

The architecture and the interior design work together to create a unified identity and experience. From the use of warm and natural exterior materials such as brick and oxidized steel, to exposed concrete and natural wood finishes throughout the interior, the building exudes a raw, authentic quality. This is furthered by the careful consideration of natural light and connection to the outdoors throughout using strategies such as transparent partitions in units and open planning in amenity spaces to frame views of the lushly planted courtyard and roof spaces. The interiors and their strong connection to outdoor spaces extend the theme of an organic, healthy oasis in the city that promotes community and belonging and looks forward while honoring the past.

Three below-grade levels of parking serve both the retail and the residential uses with approximately 344 spaces. Though a hidden and costly approach, it allows all the frontage above ground to maximize transparency to and activation of the city. The U-shaped tower surrounds a landscaped courtyard at level 2 above the grocery. It hosts both private residential terraces and a shared passive courtyard. Most of the units facing the courtyard have cantilevered balconies that help build a sense of active engagement and vitality.

At the penthouse level, additional residential amenities include a swimming pool, dog walk, and community garden. A bridge over the internal courtyard expands the space. It provides additional unique amenities for outdoor cooking, lounging, and informal gathering, as well as dramatic views of the Washington Monument and Capitol.

JURY COMMENTS (if applicable)

This project makes a holistic urban place with sophisticated sustainability strategies. We appreciated the site design and massing, as well as the exterior elevations and the woven siding pattern. The amenities were generously integrated into every level of the building.

IMAGES – CAPTIONS & CREDITS

Image 1  The west façade of the Wren along Florida Avenue reveals the buildings parti. The street activation of the double height retail including outdoor dining mezzanine, and resident lobby, the modulated residential tower above with the crisp glassy corner bays, including the southmost, which is wrapped by a n oxidized steel plane that ties the lobby up 12 levels to the rooftop terrace and amenities. Copyright 2021 IRIS22 Productions LLC, All Rights Reserved
Image 2  The courtyard is lushly planted and is designed with oxidized steel plate berms that define outdoor rooms and create soft divisions between shared and private spaces. These also provide the soil depth to accommodate mature trees and other landscaping. The transparent volume of the lounge and the fitness room project into the courtyard, emphasizing the importance of the shared spaces. The board-formed concrete wall that divides the two internally breaks through the exterior and becomes a feature. A dark brick and glass tower rises above the amenity volume, terminating in the steel-clad clubroom on the roof and supporting the amenity bridge overhead. HCM/ Anne Chan
Image 3  The rich, organic finishes of the dramatic double height clubroom are amplified by the panoramic views into the lush landscaping of the courtyard beyond. The warm, neutral pallet with accents of natural materials such as the structural concrete columns, the perforated board-formed wall of the fitness room, as well as the wood-clad mezzanine and ceiling create a welcoming and calm feel. In addition to the strong connection to the courtyard space, the clubroom is open to the shared office on the mezzanine, the game room, and the fitness room, sharing light and views with those spaces. Kip Dawkins
Image 4  The rooftop pool and pool terrace, with elevated cabanas on the eastern edge, maximize open views to the west. The terrace and amenities were set four feet above the roof level to accommodate required setback zoning while maximizing unobstructed views. The primary rooftop access, the clubroom and other amenities live in the brick and glass pavilion at the south edge, under the steel roof above the resident lobby below. The result is a dramatic outdoor space that is a unique haven in the city for all residents. HCM/ Anne Chan
Image 5  The idea of the bridge over the courtyard was the product of robust collaboration by the design team. It is a poetic solution to a several prosaic design issues. These included the need for additional egress, equitable access to the rooftop for all residents in the large community, and the search for additional space to accommodate amenities, green roof, a solar array, residential penthouses, and mechanical space, all of which were competing for the valuable real estate. The result was a feature that provides unique views, programs, and experiences for the residents. HCM/ Anne Chan
Image 6  The primary residential entry and the adjacent retail entry each have unique expressions along Florida Avenue. HCM/ Anne Chan
Image 7  Small but efficient residential units maximize daylight and utilize a warm and organic palette of finishes. Kip Dawkins
Image 8  Embedded inside the bridge, with views to the pool and access to outdoor grilling through a folding glass wall, the lounge has its own kitchen and can be reserved for private events. Anne Chan / HCM

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF