Party Walls

City Market at O in Washington, DC: Picture courtesy of Bozzuto

A recent SWA Accessibility project, City Market at O, was featured as a local case study on health in design during a recent event held by the American Institute of Architects in Washington, DC. The day-long seminar, Healthy Design, Healthy Building, Healthy City: An Interactive Workshop, featured key leaders in the field of health in design who spoke on new design initiatives intended to improve the health and wellbeing of building occupants.

SWA moderated the case study panel discussion which included City Market leaders Richard Lake, Founding Principal of Roadside Development and Andrew Taylor, Project Architect with Shalom Baranes Associates. The panelists framed the discussion around the AIA 6 Principles for Designing for Health to highlight ways in which the project successfully embodies health in design.

SWA consultants assisted in achieving the first key principle “Safety” by ensuring safe access for people with disabilities. Check out the rest of the team’s healthy design strategies below!

[av_table purpose=’tabular’ tabular_table_design=’avia_tabular_default’ pricing_hidden_cells=” caption=” responsive_styling=’avia_responsive_table’] [av_row row_style=’avia-heading-row’][av_cell col_style=”]AIA Designing for Health Principle [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]City Market at O – Design Strategies [/av_cell][/av_row] [av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Safety [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Open sightlines so residents are aware of surroundings, active streets, thoughtful lighting strategies, and safe access for people with disabilities[/av_cell][/av_row] [av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Social Connectedness [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Communal dining areas, gathering places, socio-economic mix with 20% of units reserved for affordable senior housing, a connection to history, and a sense of community preservation[/av_cell][/av_row] [av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Environmental Quality [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Storm water collection and reuse, reserved parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, smart material selections to help promote environmental quality, and indoor air quality control[/av_cell][/av_row] [av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Sensory Environments [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Use of natural materials to promote visual richness, gardens to promote calming, public art projects featuring local artists, thermal and acoustic controls to boost mental and emotional wellbeing[/av_cell][/av_row] [av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Physical Activity [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]State-of-the-art fitness center and spa, grand stairway upon entry to promote stair usage, infinity lap pool, cycling studio, walkable location, pet-friendly to encourage walking, bicycle storage for residents [/av_cell][/av_row] [av_row row_style=”][av_cell col_style=”]Access to Natural Systems [/av_cell][av_cell col_style=”]Ample balconies with scenic views, adjacent grocery store with fresh produce, vegetated rooftop, indoor and outdoor green spaces [/av_cell][/av_row] [/av_table]