Agora at the Collective Interiors

LIGHT, SHADOW, AND TRANSPARENCY

W.C. Smith has been involved in repositioning the Navy Yard and Washington DC’s booming waterfront initiatives. Agora, which is part of The Collective, is one of W.C. Smith’s significant development projects and a prime example of a transit-oriented development that leverages a network of multi-modal transportation, pedestrian access to the site, and a highly connected community in the southwest quadrant of the city. The LEED Silver building features 336 loft-style residential units and 35,000 Sf of grocery retail. The site, located in an emerging neighborhood adjacent to an elevated highway, posed a unique design challenge. To mitigate this, the design stacked a ground-floor market and two levels of above-grade parking below the residential tower raising it above the highway to create vast city views. Additionally, the above-grade parking, which further segregates the building’s uses, is framed by a “white box” creating a billboard effect and a lasting impression from the highway.

A long, zigzag building seemingly floats over the “white box” that harbors parking and building amenities, yet also serves as signage for the grocery store. An aluminum metal panel and screen system, used as exterior cladding, creates a staggered pattern that screens the garage from public view and enriches the architectural language with textured facades at an intimate level, playing with light, shadow, and transparency. The zigzagging façade—a more abstract version of the exterior articulation of the neighboring building on the site—is faceted to mitigate the noise from the elevated highway.

A CONTRAPPOSTO BALANCE

The interiors concept for Agora introduces a contemporary residential feel that brings the new, vibrant street life of Southeast, DC—a formerly heavily commercial area within its walls. The impressive amenities suite consists of an exciting and interconnected series of vertical spaces infused with colors and rich textures along multiple floors. The “porous” interior concept allows for a comfortable and connected urban flow to continue from the neighborhood experience to the lobby, shared spaces, and ultimately, to the individual units. This occurs while maintaining a sense of connectivity to the local flavor and ambiance. Even the selection of finishes and accessories were carefully curated along with an exceptional portfolio of original paintings that create both drama and repose.

We subtly sculpted and choreographed our spaces with light that engendered an emotional connection. By using strategically employing materials, technology, and light— quartz and granite countertops, net lighting, providing connections for a ceiling fan or light kit in the bedrooms, and wood laminate flooring—we have designed and styled the Agora in a contrapposto balance between a crisp, minimalist palate in the private residences and a bold, lush playfulness in the amenity spaces that show a decidedly urban character.

Expertise
Architecture
Urban Design
Interior Design
Sustainable Design

Status
Completed 2018

Program
300,000 SF Residential
45,600 SF Retail
334 Apartments

Construction Type
Concrete Frame High-Rise

Sustainability
LEED Silver