‘amaris’ is a luxury residential building conceived by rafael viñoly architects for a prime site in washington DC. the design aims to make the most of the vibrant location at the wharf – a world-class 3.2 million ft2 development along a mile of washington DC’s waterfront co-developed by hoffman & associates and madison marquette. 

 

the program comprises 96 units over 12 storys. as a nod to the waterfront location, the design alludes to waves and water-like movement through the building’s curved shape and use of light. while the overriding geometry of the neighborhood sympathetically follows the city’s orthogonal grid, amaris serves as the terminus, breaking free from that geometry to acknowledge its park setting and the expansive views into and out of the wharf.

rafael viñoly designs a waterfront residential complex for washington DC designboom

image © hoffman & associates, courtesy rafael viñoly architects

 

 

every home will have sweeping views and a connection to the outdoors through individual balconies and terraces. residences at the curved edge of the building, with their outward sloping cold warped glass windows and cantilevered balconies, evoke the sense that one is privately projected into the most unique and dramatic views across the water. the abundance of glass in amaris allowed the interior architect, thomas juul-hansen, to maximize light and views within the living areas and bedrooms. the residences are generous in size, with large open kitchens, spacious walk-in closets and well-appointed bathrooms, as well as expansive living and bedroom areas.

rafael viñoly designs a waterfront residential complex for washington DC designboom

image © hoffman & associates, courtesy rafael viñoly architects

 

 

in addition to the expansive residences and amenity spaces, the building will feature 16,000 ft2 of retail space at street level that will open out to the edge of a planned 1.5-acre park called the green, designed by michael van valkenburgh associates. the green builds off of the wharf’s linear promenade while creating interesting curves and nooks that mimic amaris’ curved façade. the tranquil green space will offer quiet seating areas, shade under trees, and elegant landscaping tied together by a water basin.

 

 

project info:

 

project name: amaris

location: the wharf, washington DC, the US

architect: rafael viñoly architects

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lynne myers | designboom