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13th Street Sanctuary

By : StudioMB

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition

Discipline : Architecture

Categories : Special Award / Building Renovation : Gold Certification

Categories : Residential Building / Affordable Housing : Platinum Winner

This conversion of a neglected 1917 church into 8 “co-living” units corrected significant structural damage from a 2011 earthquake, after which the building was deemed unsafe and sold. Technical challenges included introducing slotted window openings into the heavy masonry exterior while paying homage to the building’s original architecture. The result is a balance of old and new with a unique approach for creating much needed housing for Washington, D.C., which is struggling to meet projected demand. Organized “Co-Living” is a new model that responds to increased debt, high housing costs, and a desire to offset expenses by allowing tenants to rent sleeping rooms in larger-scale units. Renters sign leases by bedroom; shared kitchens, living rooms, and common areas provide community, while private bedrooms and bathrooms offer a degree of independence. The structurally complex challenge of accommodating new residential uses into the grand but damaged worship space required subtle insertions that met the demands of shared living while adhering to the city’s standards for retaining significant architectural defining features. Inserting floors and walls into the damaged structure required a sequence of construction which required temporary shoring of the roof while new load-bearing walls and posts were introduced to increase floor area. A metal-clad addition at the roof allows for use of the open areas of the assembly space with access to a new roof terrace for residents.

Collaboration

Engineering : Ehlert Bryan Structural Engineers

Engineering : MC Engineers

Outlier Realty Capital

BODE Developoment

13th Street Sanctuary

By : StudioMB

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition

The project in images

INTÉRIEURS Magazine

13th Street Sanctuary

By : StudioMB

GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 14th edition

The project in images

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