4(x2)
the number of design awards we received in one night
the number of design awards we received in one night
Four the second time. Eight reasons to celebrate.
That’s not a typo. For the second time this year, we’ve taken home four design awards in one evening, this time from the American Institute of Architects – Potomac Valley Chapter after earning four earlier from AIA Northern Virginia Chapter. That brings our 2025 total to nine AIA Design Awards (also not a typo)!, and yes, we’re feeling a serious sense of déjà vu. We worked hard to bring these projects to life, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that effort recognized again by our peers.
The awards were given at the 2025 CELEBRATE DESIGN event at Marriott International’s Corporate Headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
Scroll down to see the winning projects!
Award of Merit – The Braystone – Multifamily Category
jury comments…..
“A masterful adaptive reuse of an industrial building, blending modern extensions with the original steel and brick structure. This project celebrates the building’s history, contextualizing modern storytelling and ensuring its lasting relevance.”

Award of Merit – Torpedo Factory Arts Center – Unbuilt Architecture Category
jury comments…..
“The Jury appreciated this community-focused adaptive reuse project, which promotes public access to the waterfront and reimagines a landmark building as a new social condenser. The excavation of the central bays to introduce a light-filled sculptural atrium is a transformative gesture bringing daylight deep into the building’s plan and establishing visual connections across its various zones. This intervention achieves maximum impact while preserving as much of the original building fabric as possible.”
Award of Merit – Hillandale Pavilion – Small Projects Category
jury comments…..
“In its simplicity, the pavilion gifts the community a stage for everyday ritual—picnics, play, gathering—where belonging is practiced in the open air.”
More on the Hillandale Pavilion
Commendation Award – Rosewood townhouses – Commercial Category
jury comments…..
“The jury was impressed by the project’s minimal intervention with the existing historical character of the Georgetown streetscape. By preserving the integrity of the exterior, the townhouses were given a new purpose without erasing their past. This measured approach allowed modern infrastructure to work quietly behind the historic facade, creating a seamless blend of old and new.”




















The proposed plan illustrates a net-zero development of homes ranging from 1,500 gsf to 3,000 gsf. The 84 homes are grouped into layers of main street (primary pier), residential street (secondary pier) which form a floating ‘block’. Each floating home is constructed on a concrete “float” foundation in a remote location and brought in by barge an assembled to create a vibrant and integrated community. Power, water, and sewage are all part of the discussion as well as common facility and shore-based support functions.


















The Old Dominion Boat Club (ODBC) received a Special Recognition Commercial Architecture award for its relationship to historic site. ODBC is a boat club on the Potomac River that has been a part of the waterfront of Alexandria since the 1880. Using materials and design aesthetics that rendered a building that looks like a boat and has interior elements that mimic shipboard interior construction components, the Old Dominion Boat Club now enjoys a brand-new multi-story club (like ships have multiple decks) which looks and “feels” like a boat.










































