ODA has completed a new multifamily structure in Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard that comprises 465 apartments in a single square block. The project’s cascading facade creates a connection at the street level to provide the building with a transparent, approachable feel.
Dubbed West Half, the 10-story residential building includes unique apartment layouts that break the typical D.C. building mass into a more human scale that connects the indoors and outdoors and increases the amount of light and air. The floors are stacked on an inward trajectory that allows for ample outdoor terraces on the facade and an inner courtyard filled with cantilevered apartments.
Photo: Scott Frances.
A private rooftop lounge, designed by Venus Williams, provides views of Nationals Park. Terraces on the penthouse also provide direct sight lines to the ballpark. Because the project is highly visible from the stadium, the goal was to encourage richer, deeper, and more unified experiences for residents, tourists, and stadium-goers alike.
Photo: Scott Frances.
West Half’s interiors are defined by gently angled elements, minimalistic details, and a few tectonic finishes. The building’s indoor-outdoor connection is bolstered by interior elements such as the large indoor gym, which is exposed to the elements through an adjacent inner courtyard and the landscaped rooftop pool and resident lounge.
Sustainable strategies include cisterns that harvest water for the building’s irrigation and extensive green roofs that occupy 50% of the total roof area. The building has been LEED Gold certified. JBG Smith developed the project.
Photo: Pavel Bendov.
Photo: Scott Frances.
Related Stories
| Jan 6, 2015
Construction permits exceeded $2 billion in Minneapolis in 2014
Two major projects—a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings NFL team and the city’s Downtown East redevelopment—accounted for about half of the total worth of the permits issued.
| Jan 2, 2015
Construction put in place enjoyed healthy gains in 2014
Construction consultant FMI foresees—with some caveats—continuing growth in the office, lodging, and manufacturing sectors. But funding uncertainties raise red flags in education and healthcare.
Sponsored | | Dec 30, 2014
Case studies: Engineered wood brings cost savings, design flexibility across commercial project types
For commercial architects facing increasing pressure to design innovative structures while simultaneously cutting costs and accommodating tight deadlines, engineered wood systems are providing a welcome solution.
| Dec 28, 2014
Robots, drones, and printed buildings: The promise of automated construction
Building Teams across the globe are employing advanced robotics to simplify what is inherently a complex, messy process—construction.
| Dec 28, 2014
AIA course: Enhancing interior comfort while improving overall building efficacy
Providing more comfortable conditions to building occupants has become a top priority in today’s interior designs. This course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
| Dec 28, 2014
6 trends steering today's college residence halls
University students want more in a residence hall than just a place to sleep. They want a space that reflects their style of living and learning.
| Dec 22, 2014
Studio Gang to design Chicago’s third-tallest skyscraper
The first U.S. real-estate investment by The Wanda Group, owned by China’s richest man, will be an 88-story, 1,148-ft-tall mixed-use tower designed by Jeanne Gang.
| Dec 17, 2014
ULI report looks at growing appeal of micro unit apartments
New research from the Urban Land Institute suggests that micro units have staying power as a housing type that appeals to urban dwellers in high-cost markets who are willing to trade space for improved affordability and proximity to downtown neighborhoods.
| Dec 15, 2014
SHoP Architects plans to turn NY's Seaport District into pedestrianized, mixed-use area
The scheme includes a proposed 500-foot luxury residential tower that would jut out into the harbor, extending the Manhattan grid out into the waterfront.
Sponsored | | Dec 3, 2014
Modular Space Showcase: Bringing work-life balance to energy workers in the Bakken region
To meet the demands of the booming energy business, Williston needs to provide homes, recreation centers, restaurants, hotels, and other support facilities for the tidal wave of energy workers relocating to the Bakken Shale area. SPONSORED CONTENT