DC Metrocentric

Our newest Name to Know, Ann Blackwell, of the recently opened Well Built (pictured below at 14th and Q Street) is fast becoming a go to source for stylish and sustainable alternatives to furniture design in the District. DCMetrocentric recently spoke with Ann about her new venture and the state of DC’s furniture industry.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and Well Built.

Design has held a constant presence throughout my career. I have worked in fashion, marketing and urban redevelopment and have studied modern art, architecture, and interior design. Those years of dialogue and my time with Design Within Reach polished my ideals for space and objects; hence Well Built, my modern furniture store with a sustainable mission and philosophy.

What made you decide to leave Design Within Reach and branch out on your own?

While running the Georgetown studio I had become a LEED [Accredited Professional] and worked with Design Within Reach’s executive team and vendors on sustainability knowledge and practices. There was only so far the company would move in that direction – I felt compelled to bring forward better products – either long lasting and/or domestically made.

After a few weeks on the job, what has surprised you the most about running your own shop?

Read the rest of this entry »

Each week, DCMetrocentric features, Names to Know, which profiles up and coming architects, builders, businesses, and developers around the region, this week Envision Design.

It is probable that after completing projects for the likes of a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, the wealthiest charitable foundation in America, and even the creators of the iPad, many of you are already familiar with the work of Envision Design.  For those of you who haven’t yet come across the DC-based architecture and interior design firm’s many accomplishments, this introduction is for you.

Lead by Ken Wilson and Diana Horvat, Envision Design has earned a reputation both locally and nationally as one of the go to firms for innovative, sustainable designs.  A recent Fast Company feature on Envision Design’s work for Al Gore’s green investing firm, Generation Investment Management, seems to perfectly sum up their dedication to this pursuit.

Kendall Wilson of Envision Design, who has gone eco-chic for a crush of earnest environmental clients (Greenpeace, the Environmental Defense Fund, the U.S. Green Building Council development [pictured], had to do everything short of rescuing a polar bear to meet the Goreacle’s exacting standards.

This ardent dedication makes Envision standout from the pack, great work!

Do you know someone that deserves to be profiled on Names to Know?  Feel free to leave their name/organization in the comments or shoot us an email at DCMetrocentric@gmail.com briefly telling us why your nominee is so awesome, and make sure to include “Names to Know” in the subject line.

DCMetrocentric is proud to announce our new feature, Names to Know, which will profile up and coming architects, builders, businesses, and developers around the region.

While there has certainly been no shortage of buzz recently surrounding Grant Epstein’s Community Three Development, we felt a proper introduction was still in order.

With boutique condo projects such as The NINE and M Street Flats selling at a breakneck pace, Community Three seems to quickly be establishing themselves as the developer du jour for the discerning condo crowd. Their next effort is the renovation of a 19th-century country house in LeDroit Park (pictured above), which could yield another 14 meticulously designed residential units. We look forward to seeing many exciting projects to come.

Do you know someone that deserves to be profiled on Names to Know?  Feel free to leave their name/organization in the comments or shoot us an email at DCMetrocentric@gmail.com briefly telling us why your nominee is so awesome, and make sure to include “Names to Know” in the subject line.

[By Nick Jessee]