If there is any group out there that should be able to get a Green Roof right, it is the people at the American Society of Landscape Architects, and that is just what they have done at their headquarters building on Eye Street NW. From the looks of it, the implementation of the design by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates has really kept true to the original “green” vision.
The picture on the left even is filled with people just like the rendering!
Lately we have been getting requests for an open thread for people to discuss whatever is on their minds, so we figured we would give it a try and see how it goes. Like these buildings along the 2000th block of 9th street NW, this post is empty but ready to fill, so DC what’s on your mind when it comes to construction, development, and architecture?
The famous Subway/Delhi Dhaba building along Wilson Blvd in Arlington has seemingly grown up over night. We noticed over the last few months workers have added an additional two stories on top of the building. Considering every other block in this area has a curb to curb 5 story or taller building, the added density isn’t surprising, but building on top of the building without starting over is a little unusual.
Building on top of an existing building can be tricky so you don’t see it often, but when done right it certainly is a good way to save money, and keep the current businesses open during construction. Which is good because Arlingtonians can only go so long without good Indian (and Tandori Nights just doesn’t cut it!).
Check out the new residential portion of the great looking planned DancePlace project that we talked about last year. The idea is to provide affordable, rental live/work studios for working artists.
There are a planned 41 units in the design by Hickok Cole architects (who are the same people that designed the performance building). They are shooting for an opening by the end of next year. Should be a nice colorful addition to the community. [Rendering: Hickok Cole]
As you can see, the newly finished glass tetris jewelbox down by the White House is all finished up and tenants have already started moving into the second and third floors. Unfortunately, we noticed that the building takes on a completely different look once a floor is occupied and the full window shades are employed. The contrast is striking since none of the upper floors are occupied yet. What do you think?
Another update of more planned activity along MLK Blvd in SE, this time it’s on the Matthews Memorial Terrace and a community services building on the 2600th block. According to the District’s website, proposals were turned in at the end of last month and they are “supposed” to be breaking ground this month.
There has been a bit of debate though over which designs will end up actually being built. The one pictured is from the original submission last year, but there are also some other elevations that look different. Either way it will be great to see some more mixed residential development which is targeting those that need to relocate from the Barry Farm public housing, as well as seniors, and families. Having a mixed demographic as well as co-locating community facilities is smart growth, so we like how this is shaping up. Hopefully they will break ground soon.
The little project going up at 2345 MLK ave has been getting a lot of attention now that construction is underway. There has been a lot of speculation of how the exterior is going to look, but now the banner up at the site (pictured) can put all that speculation to rest. Not as interesting as the original more ambitious plans, but still modern and different…
More photos of the construction progress after the jump…
All the proposals are in for the redevelopment of the old Justice Park located at 1427 Euclid Street NW and this month one of the four bids is going to be chosen so we thought we would take a look at our options. The proposals are fairly similar and are split between condos or apartments all with around 40 units.
The development is going to be on the site of the old Justice Park, with the new park just across the street. The teams include Argos Group and Potomac Investment Properties, Euclid Partners (pictured above), Mosaic Urban Partners and Bogdan Builders, and the Neighborhood Development Company.
You can find all the details here (PDF), but we are just going to let the renderings speak for themselves, check out the rest after the jump… what do you think? Which is the winning proposal?
Take a close look, the facade on the west side of 8th street in the Penn Quarter really is basically just a big art installation. Every time we walk by it reminds us of an architectural drawing that has come alive! Amazingly behind the facade is actually a PEPCO electric substation.
Back in 2008, the District selected a developer to revitalize the old Strand Theater, located in Deanwood in Northeast. The historic building was formerly a 600-seat movie house, dance hall and pool room built back in 1928. Unfortunately since the developers presentation, not much has happened.
The project is right across from Marvin Gaye Park which has since been revitalized, so why no love for the Strand?
Well apparently the choir that has become all to familiar seems to be the answer, after reaching out to the developer, it is “market conditions” that are preventing the project from moving forward any further. We will never know, had another developer been selected during the bid process, if this project would have broken ground by now, but we would sure love to see some renewed focus on this project.
A rendering of a higher density version of the plan after the jump…
Looks like the folks behind the new mega skyscraper development in Rosslyn have put together a nice little promotional video. It includes the new reconfigured plaza we talked about last week as well as some of the amazing views the new building will have of the surrounding area.
We can’t wait to take pictures from that observation deck!
Interesting article today in the Post by UMD Architecture professor Robert Lewis about the delicate balance between historical preservation in the suburbs where choosing worthy structures isn’t so cut and dry. In urban areas the targets of preservation are (in most cases) obvious choices, however in the suburbs, the buildings are less visible and not as well known like farms and civic buildings.
There is certainly a delicate balance between what needs to be preserved and what needs to go to make way for progress and the message seems to be that the key to success is making sure communities have input and have a historic preservation plan, what do you think?
[Photo: Jason E Powell (we’ve been looking for an excuse to use another one!)]
The project included over 100,000 sq-ft of office, residential, and a 200 spot parking garage. There was a package worth almost $30 million in subsidies put together to make this project happen, but at least in the immediate future, even that ended up not being enough.
If you haven’t been over to the Washington Design center in SW lately a couple of events over the next two months may just be reason enough to go. First up is an event a la the show Top Design where over 30 WDC showrooms will be transformed to display their finest in outdoor living. Patio furniture and outdoor fabrics will be the center of attention March 22-26…
The event which really caught our attention though is the Find-A-Designer Day event, April 29, 2pm – 6pm. Attendees will get the opportunity to peruse over 60 of the designers showrooms and receive a free 30 minute consultation with a design professionals. The even is free and there will be a cocktail reception, so you know we will be there, what could be better than browsing the latest in interior design while sipping a cocktail?
The Dupont ANC just this week approved plans from architects FORMDesign to develop a mixed use project right in the heart of Dupont. The project at 1737 Connecticut Avenue will include adding an additional story to the building, adding residential space and expanding the retail space in a building which originally dates back to the 1950s.
Looks for work to start in the summer and finish up in 2011, the real question is what type of restaurant will occuppy the two story redesigned space.
