PURPOSE

The Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and WASHINGTONIAN magazine Residential Design Awards Program recognizes excellence for distinctive residential projects regardless of size or classification.   Projects will be recognized for aesthetic quality, creative response to programmatic challenges, and integration of sustainable features. Public attention and acclaim will be focused on the winning submissions through coverage in the WASHINGTONIAN and ArchitectureDC magazines.  

ELIGIBILITY

The program is open to all registered architects. Projects must be executed residential works of architecture completed after January 1, 2019, and must be located within the Washington DC Standard Metropolitan Area (SMA) as defined below:

• The District of Columbia
• Maryland: Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, Calvert, and Charles counties
• Virginia: Arlington, Clark, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Warren and Loudon counties; the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Manassas, and Manassas Park
• West Virginia: Jefferson County

Projects outside the SMA also are eligible if they are second homes for owners whose primary residence is within the Washington, DC SMA.

Entries may be new construction, renovations, additions, or adaptive use and may be single family, multifamily, or mixed- use.  Mixed-use projects are eligible if a minor portion of the work is nonresidential, however they will be judged primarily on their residential quality. Specialized housing, for seniors, dormitories, and emergency shelters to be used after a natural disaster are also eligible.  Accommodation for universal design will be considered.  Projects that qualify for this program are eligible even if they have been submitted to or have won awards in other programs.
 

AWARDS

Submissions are considered in 5 distinct categories:

• General Category: “Award for Distinctive Residential Architecture” for most projects
• Small Projects:  For Distinctive Residential projects with budgets less than $300,000
• Kitchen/Bath:  For exceptional projects limited to kitchens or baths
• Details:  for exceptional details
• Multifamily Housing:  As defined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), means a project which consists of not less than five (5) dwelling units on one (1) site, each such unit providing complete living facilities including provisions for cooking, eating, and sanitation within the unit and which is not now covered by a mortgage insured or held by the Secretary.

Projects may be submitted in one category only.

Projects will be considered on their own merits regardless of size, cost, or scope as well as on a sound comparative basis. The jury’s decisions will be final.
 

Click here for full submission details and requirements.

Tour of the 3M Innovation Center showing how 3M Inspires collaboration in their R&D and WHY our scale of thinking matters and HOW we innovate by demonstrating the depth and breadth of our ability to create connections/solutions followed by an overview of recent air barrier projects in the DMV and “Air Barrier – Bitumen vs Acrylic” presentation.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the chemical and physical properties of air barrier adhesives
• Understand the difference between acrylic and bitumen options
• Review best practices for application
• Assess adhesive type performance comparison

Presented by:

Martin Widenbrant 

Martin Widenbrant grew up close to the Arctic Circle in Sweden.  After serving in the armed forces in Sweden he proceeded to get a M.Sc. degree in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden.  He then proceeded to pursue graduate studies in the USA and earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Stanford University.  Straight out of graduate school Martin joined Dupont Central Research and Development in Wilmington DE.  Martin’s research at Dupont was focused on process development for the manufacturing of Tyvek.  In 2012 Martin moved to 3M in St. Paul, MN to start work on tapes and adhesives for commercial construction applications.  His focus at 3M has been around developing new air barrier membranes and adhesives to improve the performance and durability of buildings.

Ronald Breuer

Ronald began his 24 year history with 3M, in a position with the company’s Electrical Market Division as a Commercial and Industrial Area Business Coordinator. After capturing the division’s Everest Award on a repeated basis, Ron became in 2007, the firestopping field specialist in the Mid-Atlantic Region. His focus was developing firestop solutions for construction issues associated with projects comprised of commercial, municipal, US Government, healthcare and various educational purposes. His role was further broadened with business development responsibilities for the Northeastern US marketplace focusing on the “3M Specified Products: Air Barrier and Fire Protection”. His current managerial responsibilities involve Business Development for Air Barrier, Fire Protection and Venture Products for the Continental US.

Organized by:

AIA|DC Building Enclosure Council

Join Whiting-Turner for a presentation on best practices for office to residential conversions and a highlight of the Park+Ford project at 4401 Ford Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22302. The presentation will focus on design, construction, scheduling, and cost metrics for office to residential conversions. Also, Whiting-Turner will discuss the Park+Ford conversion and what made it a successful project.

Following the presentation, Whiting-Turner will provide tours of the Park+Ford project with a Happy Hour following on the outside patio.

Learning Objectives:

• Outline critical design considerations to successfully complete an office to residential conversion project.
• Understand the importance of analyzing the existing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems as it relates to project feasibility.
• Identify site constraints and additional project requirements that may be required for a successful residential application.
• Comparing and understanding the schedule differences between conversion projects and new builds.

Presented by:

Mike Conroy
Vice President, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Mike served as the project executive for the Park+Ford project from the preconstruction phase through final completion. He leads an operating group of over 40 construction professionals from the Greenbelt, MD office that services clients both locally as well as regionally and nationally. In his 25 year career with Whiting-Turner, Mike has served as both the lead manager and executive across a wide diversity of industries and is currently most active in the mixed-use and aviation markets.
In his free time, he can often be found on the ice playing mens league hockey or coaching his kids but also enjoys weekends with his family at Lake Anna.

Gavin Warner
Project Manager, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Gavin served as the lead project manager with Whiting-Turner for the Park+Ford project for both pre-construction and construction. His knowledge of the local market, construction experience, and leadership helped lead a successful project. Gavin has been with Whiting-Turner for over 16 years and led several construction projects in the life science, retail, entertainment, office, mixed-use, and residential sectors. Gavin has experience in both ground-up and renovation projects.

In this free time, Gavin can be found hiking, golfing, or enjoying time with his two kids, dog, and wife.

An early evening event that explores how the architecture of the modern library in a variety of contexts (Community/ City, K-12 schools and Universities), reflect both evolving end user needs and technological possibilities.

Jaspreet Pahwa (Director of Capital Planning at DCPL), will discuss how DCPL is approaching the modernization of its city and neighborhood public library facilities. Jaspreet will particularly focus on how community engagement influences the programming of these projects and shapes their amenities whilst, at the same time, preserving the core elements of a traditional public library.

Elizabeth Fotheringill (Elementary School Librarian) will describe planning priorities for Libraries for young children. Drawing upon decades of experience as a librarian in DC elementary schools, Ms Fotheringill will share how physical books and architectural features in school library spaces can promote learning and delight in an age when screens compete for the attention of young minds.

Harriette Hemmasi (Dean of the Library at Georgetown University) will describe her experience advocating for and advancing the role of the academic library through the use of digital tools and methodologies to enhance access, use, dissemination, and preservation of all forms of scholarly communication in support of innovative approaches to teaching, learning, and research.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how architects might plan library environments to accommodate the diverse needs of a 21st century neighborhood community and promote opportunities for learning.
• Incorporate principles of public safety and equity into designs to encourage community engagement; such as open daylit spaces, good sight lines, acoustics, enhanced accessibility, and a variety of space types to increase occupant comfort.
• Identify School Library design strategies to promote learning amongst elementary aged students while accommodating accessibility requirements
• Describe how students experience, interact, and engage with university library resources in an increasingly digital world. Identify trends in space types that are becoming more or less valuable for a new generation of higher education learning.

Organized by:

AIA|DC Committee on Architecture for Education

Sponsored by:

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Join LA.IDEA and Porcelanosa USA for the yearly celebration of Porcelain Slabs, Tapas, and Vino. Porcelanosa USA will be presenting on their 47x47 floor tiles, porcelain pavers, and raised access floors (RAF.) Learn about XTONE Porcelain Slabs while enjoying wine, flamenco and small bites!

XTONE is a company specialized in large format surfaces through two product lines: porcelain and natural stone. It has a wide range of finishes and thicknesses, which allows the material to adapt to any environment and application. XTONE has a number of advantages that make the material stand out for its high performance and unique design, both in its porcelain and natural stone product lines. The material has the ability to adapt to any size, use and space, making it an ideal material for all types of projects. There is no limitation for large format porcelain tile; a concept of use that goes beyond the traditional format and allows the execution of avant-garde ideas.

Porcelanosa Grupo is today a benchmark company in the national and international market, based on values such as innovation and quality but, above all, based on the trust placed in its extensive human team, made up of more than 5,000 people, and on the attention to its social environment. With almost 40 years of experience, PORCELANOSA Grupo is present in almost 100 countries around the world.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the advantages of specifying large-format floor tile
• Identify why porcelain is a unicorn of a material and is equally suited for both indoor and outdoor application
• Identify the two types of porcelain pavers available as well as the RAF system
• Explore the sustainable advantages to specifying XTONE large format surfaces

Join Pella Mid-Atlantic for a fun-filled night of food, fun and trivia at their Tyson's Corner showroom. Offering catered food and a chance to win amazing prizes, Trivia night is one of Pella's most popular events. Showcase your knowledge of Architecture, Construction and Pella to win your team the ultimate prize and come early to attend our CEU presentation.

In our presentation, we will touch on "Window Solutions for Historic Buildings". In any given year, there are typically more building renovation and rehabilitation projects undertaken by owners than there are new construction projects, and only a small percentage of these existing building projects fall in the category of “historic” with the associated public programs and design restrictions that go along with that designation. The majority are motivated by changing owner needs, energy concerns, maintenance considerations, and general modernization or upgrade requirements. In all of these cases, windows are often a topic of interest and concern. Should they be replaced, or can they be repaired? If they are replaced, what are the options? Which option is best for a particular situation? We will explore how to answer these questions to give architects the ability to work with their clients to make informed decisions and improve the overall outcome of projects.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the historic significance of windows in existing buildings.
• List the National Park Service's guidelines for historic window rehabilitation.
• Design a window rehabilitation plan for buildings that includes recommendations for preservation, maintenance, repair, replacement where needed, design for missing historic features, alterations/additions, and energy retrofitting.
• Evaluate window replacement options for existing commercial and institutional buildings.

Presented by:

Alexis Wehn, Commercial Architectural Representative

Previously an Architectural Associate and Interior Designer, Alexis is one of Pella Mid-Atlantic's biggest fans and newest employees. Captivated by the company's attention to detail, she understands the need for sustainable products and is eager to better the world through sustainable products and innovative design solutions. Utilizing the latest technologies while not disregarding characteristics of antiquity, she is able to create spaces that mesh the old with the new, creating spaces truly unique to each building.

Panel discussion on the democratic nature of public space in Washington DC - using the Downtown Action Plan, the Public Realm Plan as base points for the discussion, the diverse panel will speak to importance of cultivating sensitive community focused urban spaces and places across the city.

Connect with other SFx'ers from other parts of the country during the 2024 AIA Conference on Architecture & Design on Thursday, 6 June. Our local SFx committee is hosting a happy hour and meetup at Square 134 Architects from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm. Located at 1432 K Street NW, the office is a short 15-minute walk / 5 minute ride from the Washington Convention Center. Our partners at ATG and Azek are co-sponsoring the event, providing libations and treats from local providers. 

Join us as we announce the winners of the 2024 AIA|DC Chapter Design Awards. This annual competition places special emphasis and recognition on projects that exemplify the 10 Measures of Design Excellence. It's open exclusively to registered architects and invites submissions in four distinct project categories: architecture, interior architecture, historic resources, and urban design/master planning.

More details available here.

Join AIA|DC and Capital Area CRAN for a tour at NetZeroRowHouse.  This reconstruction and expansion of an existing row house is a case study on applying Net Zero design principles on the scale of a family-sized urban infill home.  Heating and cooling, hot water generation, and cooking are all electric.  A ducted mini-split heat pump system, zoned on a floor-by-floor basis, provides superior thermal comfort and optimized efficiency.  Energy recovery ventilators provide abundant outside air that is conditioned to minimize heat loss and gain.  

A shared heat pump water heater provides hot water for both the primary residence and the lower-level apartment.  The award-winning kitchen features induction cooktops and smart appliances.  The 8 kW array solar array helps to offset onsite consumption.  Smart electrical panels provide insights into electrical consumption on a circuit-by-circuit basis.  Additional verification systems include air quality monitoring and water flow.  Rain water is collected for use in irrigation, and overflows onto a permeable paving garden.

Air infiltration is reduced with a combination of new doors and windows, spray foam insulation and a fluid-applied air barrier.  The exterior is composed of reusing the existing street facade, metal panel, thermally treated cypress, and nickel-gap cementitious siding.

Learning Objectives:

• Determine how ducted mini-split heating and cooling apply to different types of housing typologies.
• Learn how smart electrical panels can help verify Net Zero compliance.
• Become fluent in best practices regarding heat pump water heater installations.
• Discuss detailing to achieve blower door compliance.

Presented by:

Will Teass, AIA

Will Teass, AIA is the Managing Principal at Teass\Warren Architects, as well as the 2024 AIA|DC President; Will is both Owner and Architect for the NetZero RowHouse.

Organized by:

Capital Area Custom Residential Architects Network