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This project germinates from an existing structure in the shopping
district of Georgetown. Built in 1895, it is a typical Washington
commercial and residential row building, 22 feet wide and 37 feet
deep, with a small light shaft cut out at the rear. The lot traverses 220 feet from Wisconsin Avenue to a back alley.
The neighboring buildings are multiple stories almost the entire
length of the lots, dwarfing this small historic structure. The
client’s wish to develop as much commercial space as possible while
also adding an apartment facing the alley produced an interesting
final product. The solution is deceptively simple. The existing building on
Wisconsin Avenue is left intact, with only minor modifications to
openings. At the alley end of the lot, the new masonry structure is
designed to reflect and draw inspiration from the historic building
and politely reside amongst the other alley buildings and
residences. Between the existing townhouse and the new alley
building, two floors of commercial space is constructed. The second
floor and roof remain free standing and do not touch the existing
building, except for a suspended glass bridge with a skylight above.
The apartment, entered from the alley, has a small elevator / stair
lobby through which access to the apartment on the second and third
floor is gained. The two bedroom apartment includes a stair access
to a roof deck, taking advantage of panoramic views of the
Georgetown roofscape, The Potomac River and downtown Washington.
This project was honored with an award from the
"25th Annual
Builder's Choice Design & Planning Awards." |
