15 Projects in 15 Weeks: National Media Corporate Headquarters (Week 3)

From early on Cunningham | Quill Architects has taken a sustainable approach to design through adaptive reuse. For the National Media Corporate Headquarters located in Alexandria, VA, this advertising, publications, and public relations agency wanted to establish a new headquarters space in a former industrial warehouse.

National Media. Image appears courtesy of Calloway Contracting, and was found in the Public Domain.

The plan for this commercial adaptive reuse project involved modifying the existing 37,400 sf warehouse to respond to the site constraints. The building is restricted by a zero lot line on the north and east elevations. In order to maximize occupiable space, the design turns the constraints into an opportunity by creating an open work environment with the use of interior and exterior balconies, curtain walls, and terraces. These features bring light into the space and create views of the nearby park and historic Old Town.

Multi-Purpose Lobby. Image appears courtesy of Calloway Contracting, and was found in the Public Domain.

The project responds to the agency's creative culture and desire for an interactive, high-tech office environment. By exposing the building's structural and mechanical systems, enclosing the conference room  in a curved wall of glass to offer views of the entire second floor work area, and incorporating a large multi-purpose lobby area to double as a flexible space for promotional gatherings, the design creates a central open space ideal for interaction.

15 Projects in 15 Weeks: Art Loft (Week 2)

Today we feature Art Loft, located in McLean, Va. This house was is a post and beam “Deck House” built in the early 1970s. The new owner loved the location of the house, but found the interior to be dark and dated with inadequate display space for her extensive art collection. Cunningham | Quill transformed the interior, remodeling its finishes and modernizing the kitchen and bathrooms.

Art Loft featured on Remodeling Magazine cover in 1997

A simple palette of white oak floors, white painted drywall and cabinets, sandblasted glass, bluestone, and new lighting complete the renovation. The new modern interpretation and finishes provides a classic, yet contemporary backdrop that highlights the client's art.

"The Gallery" of Art Loft

For a new firm, the recognition this project received meant a great deal. Art Loft not only won AIA DC's Washingtonian Residential Design Award for Distinctive Residential Architecture, but it was also featured in The Washington Post Home Section and on the cover of Remodeling Magazine after winning their award for Best Project of the Year.

Roanoke City Market On Track

When Cunningham | Quill began architectural services on the Roanoke City Market in Roanoke, VA, existing vendors were concerned the project would take longer than expected and patrons would have no where to eat. Two years later, the project is well under construction and on track to be completed on schedule and under budget. Patrons can look forward to dining at the renovated Roanoke City Market in just a few more months. See the video for a firsthand look at the market under construction in Roanoke.

Video appears courtesy of WDBJ7.com. To learn more nformation about the Roanoke City Market, visit Cunningham | Quill Architects.

15 Projects in 15 Weeks: Cibo Restaurant (Week 1)

One of our earliest projects was Cibo Restaurant in New York City.

Located in the Daily News Building, a National Historic Landmark, the restaurant was designed to reflect the grand character of the building and its surrounding professional community of advertising agencies, attorneys, and architects. In collaboration with the Owner and the Chef, we designed Cibo as an architectural complement to the rich yet uncomplicated flavors of the Mediterranean food.

The Bar at Cibo Restaurant.

A curving membrane wall separates the service/kitchen areas of the restaurant from the dining rooms and bar. Interior finishes and fabrics seek to complement the natural materials of the architecture while warm, low-voltage lighting highlights the Tuscan color of the interior elements.

Entrance to the Main Dining Room.

To learn more information about Cibo Restaurant or view more images, please visit Cunningham | Quill Architects.

Cunningham | Quill Architects Celebrates 15 Years

To celebrate our 15th Anniversary, we've taken a look back to see how far we've come. When Cunningham | Quill Architects began in 1996, there were only two employees, Ralph Cunningham and Lee Quill, in a small Georgetown office at 2529 P Street NW.

Lee (left) and Ralph (right) at P Street Office.

Fifteen years later, Cunningham | Quill Architects is 23 employees strong, on two floors of the Canal Square Building at 1054 31st Street NW. Ralph and Lee have since been joined by Scott Matties, AIA, LEED-AP (Principal), Chris Morrison, AIA, LEED-AP (Principal), and David C. Bagnoli, AIA (Associate Principal) as leaders in the firm.

The Cunningham | Quill Architects team at Canal Square Office in Georgetown.

Through the years, the scope of our work has grown. Our portfolio includes over 300 projects, from fifty square feet to hundreds of acres. Over the next fifteen weeks beginning Monday, we'd like to share some of these projects with you.

Rock Creek Overlook Doesn't Overlook the Details

Located in the Cleveland Park neighborhood of Washington, DC, Rock Creek Overlook is known for its stunning views of National Rock Creek Park. In a recent article on Builder.com (Builder Magazine), Rock Creek Overlook was featured as one twelve homes thoughtfully oriented and built to enjoy the environment around it. Designed to take advantage of the site and its spectacular views, this whole-house renovation makes the most of its unique vantage point.

Second Floor Sleeping Porch

Bay Window Seating With View

To see the complete story on Builder.com, please visit Design Details: Rooms With a View. To learn more information about Rock Creek Overlook or view more images, please visit Cunningham | Quill Architects.

The Sherman & Gloria H. Cohen Career Center

Completed for the 2010-2011 school year, The Sherman & Gloria H. Cohen Career Center at the College of William & Mary is an embassy to the professional world. Utilized by students, faculty, employers, and visitors to the College, the building is a reflection of the quality of the institution.

The Sherman & Gloria H. Cohen Career Center  |  Williamsburg, VA

The project is currently featured in the William & Mary Alumni Magazine. To view the full article, please see the "The Cohen Career Center Opens Its Doors to Students and Alumni."