Whitman Walker’s Max Robinson Center Receives Special Recognition Award from the American Institute of Architects
Whitman Walker’s Max Robinson Center
Receives Special Recognition Award from the American Institute of Architects Potomac Valley Chapter
Whitman-Walker envisions a society where everyone is recognized for who they are, treated with dignity and respect, and provided with equal opportunities for health and well-being. For decades, Whitman-Walker has been a vital part of the DC and national community as a first responder and care provider for those living with HIV, a leader in LGBTQ care and advocacy, and a research center driving breakthroughs in HIV treatment and prevention. The Max Robinson Center, a LEED Gold-certified, 116,000-square-foot facility located in Ward 8, is the newest addition to the Whitman-Walker healthcare system.
The design approach for this project began with a thorough analysis of the entire site, known as Parcel 17 within the St. Elizabeth’s East redevelopment. The choice to place the structure on the far western edge of Parcel 17 was guided by multiple factors, including the goal of establishing this project as the campus’s gateway building, creating a new public park for the community, and accommodating the site’s unique shape.
The final design highlights the site’s two distinct faces: one side, which serves as the public-facing gateway to the campus, and the other, oriented towards the campus interior, featuring a gentle curve that aligns with the street. On the public-facing side, a series of gridded panels symbolize “windows” into the site. Meanwhile, the campus-facing side embraces the curve with glass and signature lighting, creating a more emotive and welcoming aesthetic that reflects the services and community of Whitman-Walker.
The Max Robinson Namesake
Maxie Cleveland “Max” Robinson, Jr. was a pioneering journalist and a trailblazer. He began his television career in 1959. Before rising to national prominence, Max was DC’s own hometown guy at WRC-TV. Joining ABC World News Tonight in 1978, Max became the first black co-anchor of a national nightly television news broadcast. At a time when there were just three major networks spread across a handful of channels, the significance of his reach and impact would be hard to overstate.
The Awards Event
At this year’s Excellence in Design Awards, AIAPV Awards Committee Chair Scott Knudson, AIA, and AIAPV President Danyle Brooks, AIA, honored 13 outstanding projects. The awards were presented during the AIAPV Design + Leadership Awards celebration on Thursday, October 17, at College Park City Hall. The Design + Leadership Awards is the largest annual event hosted by AIA Potomac Valley, offering architects and the broader design community a valuable chance to connect with peers and celebrate the region’s finest work through the chapter’s Excellence in Design Awards program.
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