DC Metrocentric

Check out these amazing new renderings we got for the new pavilion at Canal Park in SE. The cafe/pavilion is designed by STUDIOS architecture and includes a rain garden, living machine sculpture, kitchens, indoor and outdoor dinning space, and a green roof with the intention of being a “zero energy” structure.

This design has the potential to be an iconic destination, what do you think?

We love it! Another rendering and the site plan after the jump…

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We recently got an update on the East Campus development at the University of Maryland College Park and it looks like the vision of a big mixed use complex is going to take a little longer than we originally thought. The project will be split in smaller phases so that the University and their development partner Foulger Pratt Argo can raise smaller amounts for each piece.

Current plans call for a 1,600 unit apartment building, 420k sq-ft of retail space, and a 200 plus room hotel. The hotel and retail will be the first phase with other pieces falling into place some time in the future. We just hope the plaza (pictured) stays as part of the plan.

A bi-weekly take on the area from our friends at UrbanTurf.com

What Does $320K Buy You in DC?

The photo at right probably brings to mind Big Apple lofts that you have seen in the movies or on TV (at least it did for us). However, this two-bedroom, 1.5-bath loft is in the most unlikely of places in DC. Find out where after the jump.

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We mentioned the Constitution Center project at 7th & D Street SW earlier this week, and how one of the best features of the refurbished building is the new courtyard. Well we got a look at the courtyard and it looks like a huge improvement.

Back when the DOT occupied the building, the courtyard was just a big brutalist concrete slab with a fountain in the middle. Now it looks like a green oasis. However one question we have is if they will have space to be able to hold the concerts and have the farmers market as they did back in the day. What do you think of how it looks?

Another photo of the courtyard after the jump…

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The District broke ground last December on the new Deanwood Community Center and Library, and we know some people are interested to see what the finished product is actually going to end up looking like so we got our hands on this new rendering of the joint-use facility that will feature educational, recreational and athletic programs for the community. Looks nice right?

The development is at the North end of an existing 5.8-acre park in Northeast DC,  and the new community center will integrate with and anchor the north end of the park, helping to define the public open spaces between it and the Ronald Brown Middle School at the southern border of the park. Designed by EE&K Architects, the project is projected to attain LEED Silver certification and anticipates completion in the second quarter of 2010.

Checkout the site plan after the jump…

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Your weekly chance to take a stab at real estate appraisal.

Well your guesses are in and counted, and the actual list price on the hardwood paneled mansion off Foxhall Road in Northwest is a steep $7,998,000.00 for the six bedroom home. Interestingly everyone guessed under the list price, that custom wood work is more expensive than you would think!

Shiloh to Sell Dilapidated Properties - After decades of promises but little action, Shiloh Baptist Church in Shaw has decided to sell two of its controversial vacant buildings. Finally we might see these properties get some much needed TLC. [DCist]

Did you know that back in 1888 there was a castle at the intersection of Florida Avenue and 16th Street NW? Originally built by Senator John Brooks Henderson, famous for drafting the 13th Amendment, the house was unfortunately demolished in 1949. However the stone entrance gate still stands to this day at the northwest corner.

[Photo: DCPL]

Last week the National Building Museum held their next lecture in the Spotlight on Design series; this lecture coincided with the start of the 25th anniversary annual leadership conference for the AIAS, American Institute of Architecture Students, and was cosponsored by this organization.  As such, the packed audience was composed of more students than practicing professionals.  Tom Kundig of the Seattle-based firm Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects presented an overview of some of his more defining professional works in his 30 year long career.  Mr Kundig’s lecture was geared more towards the students than the professionals, but there his advice was valuable for all in attendance.

Mr. Kundig, who has become known for his craftsman like integration of operable architecture, green design, and senses of place and scale, stressed the importance of architects finding their individual voices and letting their life experiences guide their design choices.  He also discussed the importance of working with craftsmen, who are usually much more familiar with their particular building material, and allowing happy accidents to inform the design process.  Furthermore, he encouraged the students in the audience that architecture is “a marathon, not a sprint” and that he believed that everyone gets at least one “special client” who can help define their career; it is just a matter of encountering them at a period where professional experience and drive are both in sync.

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Constitution Center, the completely redesigned building in Southwest, is ready to deliver… now all they need is a tenant. The rehab on the 1,400,000 sq-ft building cost over $250 M and the developers are targeting a government agency to occupy the space vacated by DOT when they moved to their new building in near Southeast.

The building will offer security standards that exceed ISC Level IV and have an anticipated LEED Gold rating, plus it’s directly above a metro station making the building very attractive to government agencies, however no one has signed on yet. The developer threw a little reception to show off the new space last week and we were really impressed with what we saw, should only be a matter of time before they can announce a major tenant. [Rendering: Smith Group]

A bi-weekly take on the area from our friends at UrbanTurf.com

The Best New Listings in the DC Area

This week’s best new listings include a beautiful two-bedroom condo in Logan Circle with a private terrace, a renovated three-bedroom row house in Columbia Heights and a two-bedroom starter home in Takoma Park.

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In a city full of dry-cleaners and laundromats this shot of an old building on Georgia Ave emphasises the fact that this isn’t exactly a new phenomena. Wonder if it was 25 cents for any item? Those closed signs look like a pretty permanent fixture, so we will probably never find out.

[Photo: Indanile]

Good news out of Ballston for the new Founder’s Square development. The RTKL Architects designed building has signed their first tenant DARPA to 350,000 Sq-ft of space ensuring that the project will continue to move forward on the site of the current metro bus facility.

The development was already designed with government clients in mind and had numerous security features included in the deign from the start. As a result there will not be many design changes need for the DoD client. [Rendering: RTKL]

Shaw - Digging of the foundation for new Watha T Daniel/Shaw library gets underway. [Bloomingdale for Now]

Columbia Heights - Construction work starts at Tubman school. Apparently it’s initial work on the sports field. [New Columbia Heights]

Georgetown - There is one house in Georgetown that seems to likes teddy bears just a little more than all the rest! [Georgetown Metropolitan]

Southwest - Trouble for the Consolidated Forensics Laboratory. [SWDC Blog]

We got our hands on some of the interior renderings done by ArchiBIM of the new project 15 K Street in NoMa and we have to say they look good. The planned 12 story building between North Capital and First street is being designed by WDG Architects. We are really digging the look of the indoor atrium’s waterfalls.

Water features don’t get the credit they deserve.

Another rendering of the entrance lobby after the jump…

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