This semester began with a group master-planning project for a site in DC. The site lies between Union Station and Capitol Hill and is currently underutilized land with vast park space and dangerous traffic configurations. Our proposed infill neighborhood aimed to mesh with the surrounding context as well as DC as a whole, contain oversized and undefined spaces, and generate activity. One of our most important moves was placing a triumphal arch across from Union Station that simultaneously frames a view of the Capitol and marks the beginning of Delaware Ave as a main commercial corridor, cyclically closed to pedestrians. Another important decision we made was to terminate First St with a church so as to minimize vehicular access to busy Massachusetts Ave. and to define First Dt as more residential.

Part III: Hotel Design

The DC market shows that luxury hotels are rebounding the quickest post-covid. It also shows that DC is depending on its conventions and conferences to bring tourists back. With this in mind, I designed a luxury, boutique hotel catering to business and leisure travelers. 

 A restaurant and cafe front our commercial Delaware Ave while the hotel entrance, lobby, and conference wing front the more private D St. There are five guest floors totaling 123 keys, including nine suites. All other amenities are concentrated on the top floor. Guests have access to the wellness wing consisting of spa and fitness center. The other wing contains a grand ballroom and a rooftop bar. The bar can also serve as a pre-function space for any event in the ballroom. Otherwise, the rooftop bar at the London House in Chicago was a primary precedent for this space and especially the tower.