The Silva Apartments

Washington, D.C.

Firm

Grimshaw

Project Type

Multi Residential

Duration

2018 / 1 Year

Phases Involved In

Schematic Design

Design Development

Size

180 Units

Completion

2021

Project Description

Completed in 2021, the Silva is a 180-unit residential building situated in the Meridian Hill Historic District of Washington, D.C. The innovative design maximized the number of units and amenities within the zoning envelope while achieving a floor plate efficiency of 82%. By utilizing the Washington, D.C. zoning code, which permits 50% projections over the site boundary line, every unit incorporated a cantilevering bay window, offering corner views to each occupant. The building serves as a model of sustainability, integrating passive house design principles to optimize building performance and enhance residents’ comfort.

I joined the project during the schematic design phase, contributing to the unit planning, interior design development, facade design, and amenity space development. I remained engaged with the project until the submission of the 100% Design Development (DD) submission.

Planning & Coordination

Initially, I collaborated with Eastbanc, the developers, to determine optimal unit configurations for the market and enhance floor plate efficiency. Given the lower floor heights typically found in Washington DC, I focused on developing mechanical and ventilation solutions that preserved full height ceilings in the bedroom and living areas. Additionally, I coordinated the placement of shafts and column locations to facilitate mirroring of units from floor to floor, aligning with the facade design.

Design of Amenity Spaces

To ensure high tenant occupancy, the developer aimed to provide excellent amenity spaces. I played a key role in designing a rooftop space featuring an infinity pool free of mechanical equipment or fencing, offering unobstructed views over Washington, D.C. I also contributed to the interior design of the gym and residence café, creating visualizations and presenting them to the client throughout the process.

Facade Development

During the design development phase, I assisted in detailing and documenting the exterior facade and windows. The design incorporated a ventilated porcelain tile facade and a high-performance window assembly, meeting the highest facade performance standards and ensuring exceptional building envelope performance values.

Documentation

I took responsibility for establishing the Revit documentation for the project and managing design options. By using families, I streamlined the repetition of units, ensuring that changes made to one unit would be automatically updated on all floor plans, saving time when adjustments were required. I also worked on the complete 100% DD documentation of the project and the associated specifications.

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