KGD Architecture was recognized for an award at AIA Virginia’s, Visions for Architecture Gala November 4, 2016 at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia. KGD’s design for 7001 Arlington Road has been selected for an Honorable Mention for Excellence in Architecture.

Located in Bethesda overlooking the Capital Crescent Trail, 7001 Arlington Road is an urban mixed-use project located in downtown Bethesda. This development is a five-story apartment building enveloped by uniquely landscaped courtyards, all set atop an automobile dealership and subsurface garage. The building serves as an important buffer property between urban + suburban Bethesda. The site is flanked by dense commercial properties, so the vision was to create an,”urban retreat” for the residents, and provide almost one acre of private open space in the downtown core.

The design approach was the creation of two triangular residential courtyards on the north and the south side to be used as gardens with active recreational uses. The “Z” shaped building plan provided strong frontage on Arlington Road and the Capital Crescent Trail which formed the two distinct courtyards. This shape creates separation from the neighboring commercial uses, frames views, and minimizes difficult “inside corner” units. The north and south courtyards were programmatically developed as meaningful “passive” + “active” community spaces. Outdoor amenities include three nodes with different activities including: a grill and patio area with outdoor television, a fire pit and a bocce court. The smaller more contemplative spaces are located in the northern courtyard.