Project Description
Located on Chapman Ave one block south of the Twinbrook Metro Station, the Escher comprises one component of a 5 acre, two-block, urban design ensemble. It is a 317-unit podium and wood stick frame construction courtyard apartment building that is designed to work together with the second phase grouping of townhomes. The townhomes are laid out in a courtyard configuration such that an open space green is created mid-block, and the street offers access to the park and defines the two blocks.
The building reinforces the urban design and faces south, as a small square and prominent building entry is located to announce the park space and bring energy to what otherwise could be a sleepy green. A ‘rear’ lobby offers access closer to the metro for those residents utilizing the red line for their commute.
The building parks below grade in a ‘walk out’ level that daylights toward the train tracks allowing the extent of the block to be utilized for the two-courtyard building. The larger courtyard is the active amenity courtyard, containing the pool and barbeque areas, the smaller courtyard is a more contemplative space containing mostly passive recreation sitting areas, but also a small barbeque area. Both courtyards are equipped with state-of-the-art storm water management systems that allow the stormwater to be retained in cisterns and utilized for irrigation.