Each year, representatives from the Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS team participate in Washington, DC’s Gingertown hosted by David M. Schwartz Architects. This year, there were over 45 firms represented, and we were proud to be an “Elf Sponsor” supporting the Children’s National Medical Center, Community of Hope, Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital, the Wendt Center, So Others Might Eat and more. Our Gingerbread creation, San GINGER Maggiore (after San Giorgio Maggiore), fit nicely into the Venice Grand Canal master plan, and was awarded the Judge’s Choice Award! While many teams brought stencils and pre-assembled pieces for their buildings, our design came together in a team effort on the spot. Check out our design process and selected materials!

Justice Housing is deeply affordable housing in thriving neighborhoods, with supportive services onsite and within walking distance of grocery, education, and health services. The Maycroft is located in the lively, walkable Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC and is now home to 64 deserving families. The 1920’s-era historic building has been completely restored in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation and has received historic tax credits, approval from the DC Board of Zoning Adjustment, receipt of New Market Tax Credits, and Enterprise Green Communities sustainable design, to name a few. The Maycroft achieves the Enterprise Green Community’s top rating and was financed through a wide variety of funding vehicles. In fact, its final historic tax credit certificate was received this past Tuesday!

Twelve years in the making, the Capital One parcel master plan focuses on several key goals: establishment of an urban street grid linking to the surrounding community; a mix of uses and density, particularly in proximity to the McLean Metro Station; establishment of an inter-connected network of pedestrian-oriented amenities; and environmental stewardship and sustainable urban development.

Our firm’s collective involvement with industry and professional organizations is led by the participation of our Partners. Their roles in the community and recent election to the Boards of two distinguished organizations establish a solid foundation for our staff at Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS to build on. In this week’s #DesignLINE, we highlight the missions and some of the latest happenings at the National Building Museum and the International Student House in Washington, DC.

On Wednesday, over 300 of D.C.’s developers, architects, city officials, and more will gather at the Hamilton Live to discuss how to best tackle the affordable housing crisis and make a lasting impact for D.C. residents to come. Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS’ Partner Bill Bonstra, FAIA, LEED AP will be speaking on the topic, Developing Affordable Housing in Booming Areas.

With 5 University of Virginia alumni currently on our team, we were very excited to host a week-long externship for two students from the School of Architecture: Audrey Liu, a second year MArch candidate, and Rhett Lin, a fourth year undergraduate student. The externship provides a glimpse into the professional life of a designer in an architecture firm with exposure to all aspects of practice.

Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS team members are engaged with the community by providing service as board leaders, conducting pro bono projects, and educating the public and the profession. Our passion and committment go beyond the studio through our involvement in organizations such as those highlighted in this article.

At Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS, our talented people are what drive the unique and innovative design solutions to the challenges of our neighborhoods. Our professional design staff is our most important asset and we’re excited for this opportunity to welcome aboard a creative and diverse group of architects and designers that have joined us over the past year.

The story of the Ten at Clarendon spans seven years and three different building designs as CRC Companies LLC successfully aggregated empty buildings and lots along 10th Street North in the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington. Stretching longer than a football field, the new five-story, 143-unit mixed-use building offers a mix of one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom apartments.