Entwine

Location: Washington, D.C.
Award Applicant: KTGY
Architect: KTGY
Developer: Jair Lynch
General Contractor: Wiles Mench
Interior Designer: Determined by Design
Photographer: John Cole Photography
Project Website: entwinedc.com

Project Statement

This community delivers 122 thoughtfully designed affordable for-rent units for those 55 or better. This new five-story wood-framed building will replace a 27,875-square-foot surface parking lot in the historic Takoma neighborhood of Washington D.C. The location within the historic district influenced the design, seen mainly in the prominent use of brick.

The material choice is made modern, utilizing a cool gray over the red brick seen in the older homes in the area. Smooth cement panels relate to the historic districts industrial buildings and provides a textural contrast to the brick. Copper tone detailing brings a pop of color and emphasizes the contemporary design.

To respond to the site and program, the community is laid out as a North-South oriented “T” shape building. The short side of the “T” creates an urban edge along Vine Street. The long side sets back to the middle of the site, creating two courtyards: to the east, an urban courtyard separates the building from Maple Street, and to the west, a private courtyard provides recreation space for residents and air and light for units. A quarter mile from the Metro Takoma Station, the new development is well connected to the greater community.