News

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.

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) presented The Appleton at Spring Flats with the 2022 ACHP/HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation. The award was presented during a ceremony at HUD Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

This annual award recognizes a project that has successfully advanced the goals of historic preservation, while at the same time providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families and individuals.

“We applaud the partners behind The Appleton at Spring Flats, who have illuminated the vital role of historic preservation in ensuring more sustainable, equitable communities and in tackling the affordable housing crisis,” said Sara C. Bronin, ACHP Chair. “Across all levels of government, we must commit to making it easier to convert and rehabilitate more older buildings for housing.”

HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge agreed that historic preservation is key.

“Preservation is critical to community health and our work to expand the supply of housing across the country,” she said. “Everyone deserves to live in a community they feel connected to. Preserving pre-existing homes is one way to ensure families of all incomes, particularly people with low incomes, can access housing of their choice.”

Leila Finucane, President and Chief Executive Officer of Victory Housing, accepted the award on behalf of The Appleton at Spring Flats.

“We are honored to receive the ACHP/HUD Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation on behalf of the entire team,” Finucane said. “Spring Flats, a public-private partnership with the District of Columbia to redevelop a 3.3 acre site, included this endeavor to restore the historic but long vacant Hebrew Home for the Aged into The Appleton, an affordable senior community. Revitalizing this once-cherished community asset while fulfilling our mission to provide affordable senior housing has been a labor of love for Victory Housing, Brinshore, Banc of America CDC, Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners, and Hamel Builders, and we have appreciated the support and input of the neighborhood community and all of our other partners along the way.”

The building now housing The Appleton at Spring Flats was constructed as the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Washington, D.C., in 1925 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After being abandoned in 2009, the development team of Victory Housing, Brinshore Development LLC, and Banc of America CDC in 2020 acquired the site via a ground lease from the District of Columbia. The plan for The Appleton at Spring Flats in the Petworth neighborhood included restoration of the building’s exterior and a full interior rehabilitation to 88 affordable age-restricted apartments, including 14 units for those who experienced homelessness.

The design and development team successfully preserved the character of the historic and culturally significant building, including rehabilitation of ornamental Star of David windows, exterior brick, terra cotta bas relief, and two original cornerstones. Completed in December 2021, The Appleton at Spring Flats surpassed all energy and sustainability requirements, achieving a LEED Gold certification. It adhered to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Properties, and when the project was reviewed pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, it was found to have no adverse effect on the historic properties.

The large site presented opportunities to develop complementary new infill construction. The Robeson, a newly constructed mixed-income multifamily building with 87 units, and The Rows, 10 mixed-income townhomes for sale, were designed to complement the historic building. Between The Appleton, The Robeson, and The Rows at Spring Flats, the approximately $78 million project created a total of 185 residential units, 80 percent affordable to seniors and families. Spring Flats was financed with a complex, multi-layer structure that included support from many partners.

In addition, there was extensive community engagement throughout the entire process, with the local advisory neighborhood commissioners, the Petworth Action Committee, and the community at large. The result is a project that has integrated seamlessly into the existing neighborhood and directly reflects the values of the community.

Our team enjoyed an outing to the newly opened Sheridan at Severna Park Assisted Living Community and toasted the incredible work that made this project possible. Project Manager, Krutika Shah, led the group on an extensive tour describing the construction process and pointing out the various features that will serve the residents.

Front View

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.

Our latest design is under construction! Frederick Road Senior will be a stunning, 111-unit, affordable, independent senior community in Germantown, MD. Developed by Wellington Development and SCG DEVELOPMENT this 4-story community being constructed by James G. Davis Construction (DAVIS) features an abundance of amenities to meet the needs of active seniors in Montgomery County who need a great place to live at a rent that is affordable.
#design #seniorhousing #affordablehousing #designempoweringpeople

Congratulations to our clients E&G Group and APAH on the grand opening of Loudoun View Senior, a new 98-unit affordable, independent senior community in Sterling, VA. This beautifully appointed project features an array of one- and two-bedroom units, plus amenities that include a fitness center, multipurpose spaces and free Wi-Fi for residents.

The design and construction team included Christopher Consultants (Civil Engineers) Ehlert Bryan (Structural Engineers), OCI Associates (MEP Engineers), and Morgan Keller (General Contractor).

Architectural Image of Mt. Sterling Senior Apartments on Sterling VA by Jeffrey Sauers of CPI ProductionsInterior Design Image of Mt. Sterling Senior Apartments on Sterling VA by Jeffrey Sauers of CPI Productions

Congratulations to Kumi for being accepted into the CKLD program. Very proud of you!

The AIA|DC chapter  Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program seeks to develop, train, and nurture the next generation of leaders. The year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions attended by a competitively selected group of 16 emerging professionals (an emerging professional is defined as someone who has graduated from college with an architecture degree and is within 10 years of their first licensure).

The curriculum focuses on core professional skills such as entrepreneurship and firm management, working together and collaboration, the art of negotiation, client development, community leadership, industry trends, and developing your future within the practice.