The Residences at Kenilworth Park, Washington, D.C.
To help fill the growing need for affordable assisted living communities in Washington, D.C., Gragg Cardona Partners and The Carding Group partnered with E4H Environments for Health Architecture (Chantilly, Va.) to design The Residences at Kenilworth Park, a 157-unit affordable assisted living community.
Completed this past March, the five-story building is arranged in a U-shape layout to maximize the buildable footprint of the site, which is limited by zoning requirements, topography, and roadways. A palette of durable exterior finishes was selected to optimize long-term performance and includes light and dark-gray panels complemented by wood-like details, natural stone, and pops of yellow color.
Sustainable and biophilic design
The 132,000-square-foot project is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver v4.0 certification. Sustainable elements include roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels, LED lighting, large windows with abundant daylight, and a white thermoplastic polyolefin rooftop designed to reflect sunlight and minimize energy consumption.
The building also includes a highly efficient thermal envelope, ensuring optimal energy conservation, and features stormwater retention capabilities through filtered surfaces. The landscaping features native plant species to support healthier ecosystems.
Biophilic design features are abundant throughout, as well. For example, situated on the edge of Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, the project features two outdoor terraces on the first and second levels to provide access to the outdoors.
Inside, biophilic design prioritizes access to daylight with windows at both ends of all the corridors and extensive glazing in community spaces. The project’s proximity to the Aquatic Gardens also inspired the use of organic patterns, natural finishes, and artwork inside to establish a subtle connection to the environment.
Community features
Residential units are offered in one-bedroom and studio models, designed with a neutral color scheme to allow residents to personalize their space. Amenities at The Residences at Kenilworth Park feature a gymnasium, library, general store, hair salon, and activity room. Additionally, small seating nooks throughout the community create spaces that encourage residents to spend time outside their rooms.
The Residences at Kenilworth Park, Washington, D.C., project details
Location: Washington, D.C.
Completion date: March 2023
Owner: Gragg Cardona Partners/The Carding Group
Total building area: 132,000 sq. ft.
Total construction cost: Confidential
Cost/sq. ft.: Confidential
Architecture firm: E4H Environments for Health Architecture
Interior design: E4H Environments for Health
General contractor: Whiting-Turner
Engineering: Urban (civil), GPI (MEP/structural)
