Maryland AIA Recognizes Community Impact /  by Rick Schneider

We couldn’t be happier that the Arboretum Community Center has received the Honor Award for Institutional Architecture from the Maryland Chapter AIA. The first Mass Timber project for the Washington DC Government, this facility was designed with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence in mind.

Jury comments from last night’s ceremony include:

“A small project with a significant community impact.

…a standout example of thoughtful design and community integration.

…it sets a precedent for sustainable construction in the area.”

The annual AIA Maryland Excellence in Design awards program recognizes excellence in architectural design by AIA Maryland members and, AIA members working in Maryland. AIA Maryland chapter’s goal is to inspire sustainable, resilient and inclusive design and to support AIA's commitment to climate action.

DC Emergency Operations Center's New Headquarters Welcomes President Biden and Mayor Bowser /  by Rick Schneider

ISTUDIO’s new Emergency Operations Center in the nation’s capital hosted some notable figures last week – including President Joe Biden and Mayor Muriel Bowser. Our team designed this vital 44,000 sf facility in support of the DC Homeland Security mission to ensure the safety and wellness of Washington, D.C residents.

President Biden meets with HSEMA's team at the Emergency Operations Center.

The new design focuses on advanced technology integration, sustainability, and flexibility to adapt to the ever-changing demands of emergency management. Our approach focused on wellness as a central design principle, ensuring that those working around the clock, 365 days a year, have dedicated spaces for rest, rejuvenation, and readiness to safeguard the safety and well-being of the nation's capital. This commitment guarantees that the Headquarters will not only meet but surpass the expectations of those dedicated to public service during critical times.

President Biden and Mayor Bowser engage in a roundtable discussion in the press briefing room.

New York City SARA Awards Mass Timber Project /  by Rick Schneider

ISTUDIO was honored to receive our first design award from the SARA New York City chapter. The Arboretum Community Center was cited for a Merit Award. On June 11th, 2024 SARA NY hosted the annual Design Awards Gala at The View at the Battery in Manhattan, New York. Over 200 architects, contractors, and vendors convened to connect with each other to celebrate and to honor design achievements in architecture.

visit for more about the 2024 DESIGN AWARDS — SARA NY

ISTUDIO Sparks Creativity at Open Firm Night for AIA Conference /  by Rick Schneider

ISTUDIO Architects hosted an unforgettable evening for AIA National + AIA DC as part of the Open Studio Tours. The event was a vibrant mix of live music, engaging discussions and good food, bringing together industry leaders in celebration of innovation and collaboration in the field of architecture. 

 

Leaders enjoyed live tunes from the talented Virginia Tech WAAC band while savoring delicious bites provided by Agora.  The evening was filled with insightful discussions ranging from master planning municipal agency campuses for future growth, the joy of students growing veggies in their curriculum garden classrooms, and the evolution of sustainability from a lofty goal to the fundamental baseline for every project.

 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors: Cosentino, Shaw Floors, and Symetri. Your partnerships were instrumental in making the night a resounding success.

Mass Timber Project Highlighted at AIA Conference /  by Rick Schneider

On Wednesday, June 5th, 2024, ISTUDIO Architects, in collaboration with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and GCS Sigal, hosted an engaging and informative tour for the AIA National Conference at the Arboretum Community Center – DC government's first mass timber building. Principal Rick Schneider, along with Tanja Werner and Sara Al Khatib, teamed up with Peter Nohrden of DC DPR to guide 47 attendees through the center. The tour highlighted the multifaceted challenges of revitalizing historic structures to meet modern community needs while adhering to budgets and sustainability goals. They also explored the innovative integration of mass timber construction to achieve net-zero readiness and adhere to construction timelines.

According to GCS Sigal, the project came together "like tinker toys." Attendees enjoyed exploring the building and its surrounding playfields and gardens, gaining insight into how the design team creatively balanced historic preservation guidelines with contemporary architectural expansions. The tour showcased the harmonious blend of old and new, illustrating the future of public development.

ISTUDIO Architects would like to extend a big thank you to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation and AIA National for the opportunity to showcase net-zero readiness and the merits of mass timber construction during the national conference.

Tour DC's FIRST Mass Timber Community Center /  by Rick Schneider

The Arboretum Community Center is the first of its kind in the nation’s capital. Mass Timber in the form of CLT and GLT was used as a design tool to get closer to Carbon Net Neutrality for a net carbon reduction of 30% while also bringing warmth to the gymnasium. Biophilic design is intertwined with strategies like daylighting, passive design, natural ventilation, solar power, and stormwater management to deliver a high-performance building that is ready to meet Net Zero Energy requirements.

2.00 LUs/HSW/GBCI/RIBA For more info on this event visit AIA.

Van Ness Elementary Wins AIA|DC Award /  by Rick Schneider

Van Ness Elementary School with its rooftop curriculum gardens and outdoor classroom was cited at the annual AIA|DC Design Awards. The gardens + classroom are a nice way to enliven on often overlooked space, especially in urban areas where square footage is at a premium. Perforated metal panel wraps the exterior stair, extending up to fold over the stair to provide shade for the rooftop classroom. It’s a great place for STEM lessons that utilize the curriculum gardens.

For more about the school click here.

Arboretum Selected for AIA Nat'l Tour /  by Rick Schneider

We’re honored to be selected to represent Washington DC with a tour at the AIA Conference in June. The Arboretum Community Center is one of the city’s first mass timber projects - and the first for DC Dept of General Services. Come hear about how the project went together “like tinker toys” in the words of the builder. Stay tuned for details on the date and time.

2023 Recap: Looking Back and Giving Thanks /  by istudio

Our studio looks back with gratitude on the meaningful work we accomplished in 2023 and the recognition that came with it. We celebrated another birth in January and added to the studio team in June. Some highlights:

Arboretum Wins 2023 Global Future Design Award /  by Rick Schneider

Interior of the Mass Timber gym. Credit: Anice Hoachlander

We are proud to share that Arboretum Recreation Center is the recipient of the 2023 Global Future Design Awards. The project won Gold in a globally recognized awards program with over 1,400 registrants. Arboretum is DC General Services’ and Parks + Rec’s first #masstimber project.

Creating a thoughtful expansion of an original “Mission 66” Field House, the project integrates biophilic design principles, intertwined with strategies like daylighting, passive design, natural ventilation, and solar power to deliver a high-performance building that is ready to meet Net Zero Energy requirements. Mass Timber in the form of CLT and GLT was used as a design tool to get closer to Carbon Net Neutrality for a net carbon reduction of 30% while also bringing warmth to an otherwise often stark typology. Other green features include solar ready roof, green roof, rain gardens, and integrated stormwater management.

For more about Arboretum, Click Here. See the award announcement here: Global Future Design Awards 2023

Credit: Anice Hoachlander

Credit: Anice Hoachlander

Students Tour DC's First Mass Timber Community Center /  by istudio

We recently hosted a joint tour of Arboretum Community Center for architecture students from regional universities, including Virginia Tech’s WAAC campus, and Catholic University’s School of Architecture. Our own Sara Al Khatib and founder Rick Schneider hosted the tour, diving deep to teach students about sustainable community design, net zero energy standards, and mass timber. The project, in partnership with DC’s Department of General Services and Department of Parks and Recreation, is the city’s first mass timber recreation center. An addition to the original “Mission 66” Field House, the project added a new wing including a multi-purpose space, computer lab, fitness room, and gym. The mass timber gym successfully reduced the carbon footprint by 30%, working to achieve Carbon Net Neutrality.

Students learned about sustainable strategies integrated within the project, from stormwater management to daylighting, and we discussed the design and cost implications of using these methods in the project. Students even paused to shoot hoops in the new gym! Thank you to Catholic University professor Jaime Van Mourik, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP for arranging the tour, and we look forward to hosting future classes!

Read more about the project here: https://www.istudioarchitects.com/arboretum

Awards and Publications:

2021 Rethinking the Future Award, Public Building Concept

2021 Global Future Design Awards, Second Award for Institutional Architecture Concept

Arboretum Wins 2023 NAIOP Award

ISTUDIO Visits Blacksburg for Annual VT Board Meeting /  by Rick Schneider

Staff Designer, Maggie Dunlap, recently attended the Virginia Tech combined Virginia Tech College of Architecture, Arts, and Design Celebration of Generosity dinner and board meeting in Blacksburg, VA. Both Maggie and our founder, Rick Schneider, are Virginia Tech alumni and serve on the Firm Advisory Board of Virginia Tech's Washington Alexandria Architecture Center.

We loved seeing innovative student work in the studio, connecting with other alumni and school leadership, as well as hearing about Dean Liu's vision for AAD's future. We’re looking forward to another productive and inspiring year contributing to the alumni community!

Arboretum Wins 2023 NAIOP Award /  by Rick Schneider

We are proud to share that Arboretum Recreation Center is the recipient of the 2023 Award of Excellence for Best Institutional Facility from NAIOP’s DC + Maryland Chapter. Arboretum is DC General Services’ and Parks + Rec’s first #masstimber project. NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association recognizes outstanding projects, firms, and members in the region.

The project integrates biophilic design principles, intertwined with strategies like daylighting, passive design, natural ventilation, and solar power to deliver a high-performance building that is ready to meet Net Zero Energy requirements. Mass Timber in the form of CLT and GLT was used as a design tool to get closer to Carbon Net Neutrality for a net carbon reduction of 30% while also bringing warmth to an otherwise often stark typology. Other green features include solar ready roof, green roof, rain gardens, and integrated stormwater management.

For more about Arboretum, Click Here. See the award announcement here: 2023 Awards of Excellence Winners - NAIOP DC | MD (naiopdcmd.org)

Part of the team, including Hamza Hamdeh, Tanja Werner, and Joseph Sandor

Detail of the bronze metal screen wall. Credit: Anice Hoachlander

Kingman Island Wins AIA Maryland Award /  by Rick Schneider

We are proud to announce that Kingman Island Environmental Education Center is the recipient of AIA Maryland’s 2023 Excellence in Design Awards! Winning an Honor Award in the Unbuilt Architecture, Non-Commissioned category, the jury (from AIA Connecticut) praised the graphic delivery and attention to natural materiality. In their comments, the jury wrote:

“Beautifully presented with elegant renderings and handsome diagrams, this theoretical project is an excellent response to its program and mission. Natural forms and materials combine as an essential aspect of its design demonstrating the intertwining symbiotic relationship between architecture and ecosystems.”

See the announcement and awards presentation here: AIA Maryland 2023 Excellence in Design Awards

Interested in the project? See more here: Kingman Island Environmental Education Center

Van Ness ES celebrated at NoVa AIA Awards /  by Rick Schneider

The Northern Virginia AIA chapter hosted a very well-organized evening honoring regional architecture and design - including an Award of Merit for the Van Ness Elementary School. The judges cited the team’s materials selection and architectural moves in creating “an incredible… academic campus environment.” Also celebrated were the “layered elements of space” and “the beautiful [rooftop] outdoor education space”. Many thanks to Lorin Boswell and Jaclyn S. Toole and the entire team for a wonderful event! For more about Van Ness, click here

For more see the video clip here: NoVa AIA Judge's Comments

Feature on Van Ness Elementary School /  by Rick Schneider

Check out this piece on Van Ness ES in the latest Metal Architecture. Said design award judge Yen Ong, FAIA, “The way they tie the brick and the metal is remarkable, and the relationship of the transparency of the perforated metal panel and then the solid metal panel and then the solid brick seems like the progression is done very well and it all ties together very well.” On the Design Path | Metal Architecture

Van Ness ES Wins Metal Architecture Design Award /  by Rick Schneider

Metal Architecture has announced the 2023 Design Awards - and Van Ness Elementary School is a winner! Rooftop Gardens, smart stormwater management, and a covered outdoor classroom define the design of this LEED-S compliant green school in Southeast Washington DC.

Judge Arnold Swanborn, AIA, LEED AP, design principal, CO Architects, Los Angeles, said, “There's just sort of a simple elegance about it. It has a scalar relationship to the neighborhood ... They have this very simple sort of elegant solution to the addition, and it is quite nice architecturally.”

photos by Kris Ilich and ISTUDIO

2023 Design Award Winners | Metal Architecture