DC Metrocentric

We told you about Founders Square back in February when they were in the pre-development phase. Looks like things are really moving along now that the Arlington County Board has approved the development plan. It also looks like they are going to be able to squeeze some extra density into the project in exchange for helping to build Arlington’s Mosaic Park.

The developer Shooshan Company has designed the building to be compliant with all Federal Security requirements so that Government tenant will be able to occupy the building. There are rumors that the research arm of the DoD (DARPA) is a possibility for moving it’s headquarters. In addition to keeping important government work in the County, this is great news for Ballston residents because they not only get the ugly Metro bus yard replaced by a nice new development, they also are getting public park improvements. Sounds like a win-win to us.

The Country Board really has been busy lately, at the same meeting this week they also managed to approve the final site plan for the last section of land in the Pentagon City area. The new development will be on the site of the Costco parking lot, right adjacent to the metro.

Back in 1941 there was a huge construction boom going on downtown fueled by the need for more government offices. The buildings were never designed to last but as you can see still took a huge effort to build. Thankfully the “temporary buildings” were all eventually torn down, reestablishing the continuity of the National Mall that we all know and love! Isn’t it cool how buildings were put together back in the day?

[Credit: Library of Congress via Dullshick]

Check out this just released rendering of what we can expect from the new Southwest DC Waterfront. Out with the seafood shacks and old clubs, and in with a vibrant open plaza surrounded by shops. We do like this vision, especially how the buildings all include green roofs, but where are they going to get a big old ship like the one pictured?

As part of the Columbia Pike Initiative the Arlington County Board recently approved a plan to transform the Arlington Mill Community Center into a mixed-use development by adding homes, shops, and a public plaza to expanded the community center facilities in one very nice looking design!

The new Arlington Mill Community Center development, in addition to gym, dance, and meeting rooms will include a nearly 15,000 sq-ft public plaza and approximately 3,000 sq-ft of ground-floor retail. It will also provide 192 residential rental units, 61 of which are contractually committed rentals to households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income. We love the greenery that is incorporated directly on the building!

[Rendering: Public Private Alliances, LLC]

It has been a long time coming, but the National Museum of African American History is ready to start looking for an architect to design the landmark museum with an incredibly prominent location. Back in January 2006, the Smithsonian Board selected the five-acre site (pictured) adjacent to the Washington Monument, to serve as the location for the new Museum.  

We havn’t heard much since then and apparently the hold up was for the environmental impact study, which finished up last week. It shouldn’t be long now before we start to see some designs coming out of the proposals! 

Follow the jump to see a 3D rendering of how the building will sit in comparison to other buildings on the National Mall…

Read the rest of this entry »

We just love all the little things captured by Flickr user Spmoony of this classic landmark building in the District. 

How come they don’t put details like this into buildings any more?

Downtown - “Check out the hot red front door for the National Council of La Raza.” The largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization sure has interesting tastes. [WeLoveDC]

Near Southeast - “The Zoning Commission on Thursday night approved the design for the first phase of the waterfront park at The Yards.” The developer plans to move fast, promising the first phase by next summer! [JDLand]

Capitol Hill - “Argos Group has been selected to redevelop a pair of Capitol Hill properties including Old Engine House 10.” It’s just going to be another condo project, but some lucky owners are going to live in a firehouse! [DCBiz]

By far the best exibitor at Design DC 2008 was a company called  Architectural Images, and they had some amazing renderings and models on display including this model of Rosslyn Central Place. As we have said in the past, these buildings are going to redefine the Washington area skyline, so it’s cool to see how they look in 3D.  

We really like how transparent the buildings look, we just hope they keep some element of that design once the structures are built. 

[Photo: DCMetrocentric]

Looks like we have another contender for DC’s best rooftop. Great rooftop spots aren’t only limited to all those new condo buildings springing up all over town. This one really looks like a nice oasis that we wouldn’t mind spending a little time enjoying the weather with.

[Flickr Photo: DrCee]

When Verizon decided to vacate the lease on their 11 story office building in Courthouse a few months ago, the owners MRP Realty decided it was time for a complete renovation. The comprehensive capital improvements include a new courtyard, overhauled lobby, and new health-club facilities, in addition to new interior elements throughout.

It’s a big deal when a company that occupies an entire building vacates, not only to the owner of the almost half million sq-ft office but also to the local businesses in the Courthouse area that served and fed the large number of employees coming and going every day.

Hopefully this highly visable building in the Arlington market will be filled back up soon, the renovations just started but should be finished by the end of next month.  

[Photo: DCMetrocentric]

It was only a matter of time, but the US Green Building Council is changing the standards for it’s Leadership in Environmental Design Certification for the first time since 2000 when it was introduced.

The new standards will reorganize the commercial rating systems by consolidating, aligning and updating them into one system. Points are awarded for specific practices in each area and are verified by an independent third party. Depending on the number of points earned, a building is awarded a certified, silver, gold or platinum ranking.

However the most significant changes are to the points system which currently is very ridged and not weighted realistically. For example, projects are awarded one point for installing a bike rack, and the same amount for installing a costly green roof, not exactly the same.

With technology changing so fast, this revamp is way over due. This is going to have more of an effect on our city than many others since all new buildings are required to strive for LEED certification. The public comment period just ended last month and the changes are being incorporated it shouldn’t be long until the new standards are formally released.

If you have been down by Judiciary Square over the past year you have probably noticed all the construction going on around the Old District Courthouse building. Well all that construction and disruption is definitely going to be worth it, check out the model of what the new glass entrance pavilion on the north facade is going to look like when it’s finished!

The original building was designed in 1820 by George Hadfield and is designated a National Historic Landmark, so the current architect Beyer Blinder Belle had very strict rules to follow when designing the addition. We think the glass will actually look very nice once it’s finished and will match the metro pavilions on the other side of Judiciary Square. They will also be expanding the space to make more room for the current occupant, the Court of Appeals. [Model: Beyer Blinder Belle]

The thing we love almost as much as the free food and pens at industry conventions, is seeing something exhibited that we have never seen before. That was definitely the case with the booth for the Ready Mix Concrete Association at Design DC 2008 last week. 

The demonstration (pictured) was of something called Pervious Concrete. The material allows water to pass though the concrete reducing storm-water runoff, recharging groundwater, and contributing to sustainable design. Not only that, but builders can also get LEED certification credit for it’s use. The stuff seems like a no brainer for some of the asphalt jungles in our area!