News

Mayor Bowser Breaks Ground on 93 Units of Affordable Senior Housing in Ward 3

DC Mayor, Muriel Bowser broke ground on the construction of 93 units of affordable senior housing apartments at the LISNER LOUISE DICKSON HURT HOME in Friendship Heights that is being developed in partnership with Urban Atlantic.

“We know that reaching our bold housing goals requires a citywide vision and a commitment to building affordable housing in all parts of Washington, DC,” said Mayor Bowser. “We’re proud that through this historic investment from the Housing Production Trust Fund, we will be creating 93 new units of senior affordable housing in Ward 3. We’re grateful to all the government and community partners who are making this project a reality and continuing the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home’s legacy of serving DC seniors.”

The campus wide master plan, including the new senior building and the renovation were designed by Michael Wiencek, FAIA, who was applauded by the development team for his extraordinary vision on very complex site. The new building will be constructed by Bozzuto and the renovation by Harkins Builders, Inc.

“We are thrilled that our dream of a continuing care community for the city’s most vulnerable seniors will soon become a reality,” said L. Ward Orem, CEO of the Lisner-Louise-Dickson-Hurt Home. “The new affordable senior living apartments, along with the assisted living building renovation, will transform the lives of the seniors we serve for generations to come.”

When we set out to design the new St. Elizabeths Shelter we were committed to transforming the way shelters were designed and bringing a sense of dignity to those needing its services. We wanted to create something that could be a model for the nation, while tackling difficult societal circumstances.

This was no ordinary project…and we are deeply honored that the jury for AIA Potomac Valley 2023 Design Awards thinks we achieved something special. Here is what the jury stated when awarding us with the “Best in Show” Award.

“What is not to love about the community and program for this project? The depth and community resilience considerations, as well as the sustainability are commendable. This was an easy selection for the jury and shows that even architecture that has to do a lot with a little can rise to the occasion.”

Thank you AIA POTOMAC VALLEY for this incredible award. Let’s keep dreaming and transform more communities through architecture.

Our team left the drafting tables behind and volunteered at Potomac Vegetable Farm in Purcellville, VA to support DC Central Kitchen (DCK) with their efforts to combat hunger and bring nutritious, dignified foods where needed most. It was a beautiful, sunny day to glean the fields as we picked fresh squash of numerous varieties. Then our team headed to Bear Chase Brewer for lunch that included a spectacular view of the valley below. Great time spent together while helping others!

About DC Central Kitchen: DCK serves scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in DC schools, delivers fresh, affordable produce to corner stores in neighborhoods without supermarkets, and operates fast-casual cafes throughout the District of Columbia.

Spring Flats, the multi-generational, mixed-income, residential community in Petworth, a vibrant mixed-use urban neighborhood in Washington, DC, was recognized again for its outstanding design, this time by AIA NoVA.

Design of the Spring Flats campus was a collaborative effort led by our Wiencek + Associates and included the Development Team, the District of Columbia government, and the surrounding community. An extensive campaign of community outreach and engagement was undertaken with local community groups, the elected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and direct neighbors to fully understand and accommodate community concerns. The result is a consensus solution that provides new affordable homes for residents, helping to implement the District of Columbia government’s ambitious goals of housing those in need.

Congratulations team on this impressive recognition by the AIA!

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Jeremiah Fordham to Sr. Project Manager. Since joining the firm in 2019, Jeremiah has made incredible contributions to the overall success of the firm by diligently managing complex projects, seeking opportunities to improve the quality of our deliverables, and investing in the development of other staff members. “Jeremiah’s hard work, thoughtful approach, and determination to improve our standards are evident to all of us. He has earned this promotion and we couldn’t be more appreciative of his leadership”, said Michael Wiencek, FAIA, President.

W+A extends its congratulations to Andrew who recently passed his ARE exams and is now officially a registered architect and member of the AIA.

This incredibly beautiful Assisted Living/Memory Care community in Severna Park, Maryland, offers upscale senior living in a desirable  location between between the Magothy and Severn rivers. The design includes a nautical aesthetic fit for an area known for its exciting sailboat races. Residents can look forward to enjoying an array of amenities and daily activities with access to award-winning Assisted Living and Memory Care services.

Designed for Kaufman Jacobs and operated by Senior Lifestyles who own and operate Assisted Living communities throughout the US.

Mr. Garland has more than 20 years of experience creating thoughtful architecture, developing strong relationships, and managing a wide range of projects in the government, hospitality, multifamily residential, medical, mixed-used development, and office/commercial sectors.

“We are delighted to bring someone of Lynden’s caliber on board. He has demonstrated a commitment to delivering exceptional quality, a desire to mentor and develop staff, and an eagerness to use architecture to inspire others”, said Michael Wiencek, FAIA, President. “Lynden embodies our core values. Our clients will be incredibly well-served throughout the design and construction process, and he will be a valuable asset to ensure our firm continues to focus on transforming communities through design excellence.”

Mr. Garland holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a Master in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, as well as a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Real Estate, from Virginia Commonwealth University. He currently serves as the Board Chair for the Commonwealth of Virginia Art and Architectural Review Board.