News

Come see us tomorrow at the Bisnow Greater DC Senior Housing Summit. Hear Michael Wiencek, FAIA, discuss the need for mixed-income senior housing that enables residents to remain in their community and age-in-place.

Michael Wiencek, FAIA, participated as an expert panelist at the opening of the 2020 Mind Building Exhibit last night at the Finish Embassy.  He gave his perspective on the importance of libraries in the community and the role that architectural design plays in breaking down barriers and providing an exceptional experience.  Wiencek + Associates teamed with international architects to design three of the DC Public Library’s iconic neighborhood libraries, including Francis Gregory, Bellevue and Woodridge.

Members of our team attended the Women Inspiring Emerging Leaders in Design (WIELD) event last night to celebrate Veteran’s Day with four local female veterans and their journeys from the military to the design and social service industries. Their inspiring stories highlighted how each one overcame pinch points and career dynamics that hinder career progression, while sharing the opportunities that encouraged their growth and success. Wiencek’s Kumi Wickramanayaka was in charge of Q&A and Saakshi Terway introduced one of the panelists. They both did a fantastic job and made us proud.

It was raining outside, but inside the new HELP USA Veterans Housing on the Parks at Walter Reed, hundreds were smiling brightly for the ribbon cutting.  Appropriately, veterans will be the first residents to move into the reimagined Walter Reed Campus. This new, 100% affordable housing development will provide 77 units of permanent, supportive housing for previously homeless veterans. Such an honor to be part of this team that worked for many years to transform the former barrack housing for soldiers into a modern community with amenities.

“There can be no higher or better use of this historic site than to continue serving the men and women of the Armed Services.” said Tom Hameline President & CEO of HELP USA. “Because of the vision of the District government, the generosity of our private sector partners, and the hard work of my team, we can today move seventy-seven veterans off the street and offer them what they always deserved, a place to call home.”

Our team had a terrific time celebrating at TopGolf for our Annual Employee Appreciation Day! For some, it was the first time picking up a golf club, let alone swinging and hitting a ball! For all, it was a lot more fun than anticipated with playful trash talking, cheering each other on and working together in teams. Great way to spend a day together and a well deserved break for an amazing group.

DesignDC is the premier regional conference focused on the unique challenges posed by working in DC Metropolitan area for architects, interior designers, engineers, contractors, planners, landscape architects, and developers. This three-day conference features two days of educational sessions and trade show exhibits at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center, and a third day full of opportunities to tour projects across DC, MD, and VA.

Michael Wiencek, FAIA, and Troy Rog-Urman, AIA, presented to a packed room on Monday afternoon, as they walked through the unique design approaches needed for the award winning, 320,000SF SOME Conway Center and working with a non-profit to achieve their goals.  This transformative new building provides three separate housing options, plus job skills training, health care, and offices.

Learn more about the So Others Might Eat (SOME) and the Conway Center at

https://www.some.org/about/affordable-housing-initiative

It’s been 3 years in the making, but today finally marked the beginning of construction on The Woodlands at Reid Temple, a 252 unit affordable senior housing community in Glenn Dale, MD.   The project is a partnership between Reid Temple AME church, Urban Matters and Atlantic Pacific Companies who joined together to create one of the most important projects in the County.  As Sr. Pastor Mark Whitlock proclaimed at the beginning of the ceremony, “Today is the day the Lord made…we are standing on hallowed ground that will become a living community for seniors that deserve to live a life of dignity.”

Dignitaries from the State of Maryland, Prince George’s County, the community of Glenn Dale, along with over a hundred Reid Temple AME church members, the development team and all of those who eagerly attended to celebrate the groundbreaking occasion were delighted to hear from retired Sr. Pastor Lee P. Washington.  Dr. Washington related stories of hearing God reveal his plan to build a community to serve seniors.  Dr. Washington spent the next four years leading the Reid Temple AME congregation through the process of making the vision come true.

Construction on the project will begin immediately and the grand opening is projected to be in 2021.

The District of Columbia is working hard to reduce homelessness throughout the area and is actively replacing outdated facilities to create an environment that is more efficient, maximizes operations and improves the overall functionality that supports those experiencing homelessness.

This new 85,000SF, 375-bed facility will serve adult men and provide various programs to assist them by providing housing, healthcare, food service and other critical services that address their needs.

We believe this is one of those projects landmark projects that will become a “beacon of hope” for the community and could not be more proud to have been award the honor of designing it.