ARCHITECTS WHO WORK in Washington know that historic preservation boards often dictate what buildings can and cannot be. Architect Suman Sorg managed to avoid this fate, but she still showed respect for the venerable church adjacent to this condo building.
“The project is driven by context, but the point is not belabored,” the architect says. “I wanted to start a dialogue with the church so I echoed the brick and used a similar scale.” The Visio is similar in proportion to its neighboring structure, yet its generous glass, metal overhangs, and other modern elements give it a vibe that is decidedly contemporary.
To maximize light penetration into the deep building, Sorg specified aluminum store-front windows, installed on a “cut away” corner of the building. This move not only brings in light, but offers homeowners a view of the old church. “The whole experience of the units is about looking outward,” says the architect.
Each unit has two floors, 1,330 square feet of living space, and an outdoor terrace or balcony. Fourth-floor units have 19-foot ceiling heights and modest interiors. Says Sorg: “The units are about volume and space, not about materials.”
Category: Apartment–rentals; Entrant/Architect: Sorg and Associates, Washington; Builder/Developer: Robertson Development, Washington
Learn more about markets featured in this article: Washington, DC.
