 Please join us in celebrating the end of another great year at Soto Architecture and Urban Design! As always, we could not have achieved anything without our faithful partners, local community, and passionate people. TEN YEARS OF SOTO In 2024, we celebrated ten years of Soto. In the Spring, we had our first open house at the new office with our team and clients to reflect on everything we have accomplished together. We extend our thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past ten years, and are looking forward to the next ten! COMPLETED PROJECTSIn 2024, we completed one affordable multifamily housing project - the Residences at Springbrook, which is a senior living development located in Clinton, Maryland.
AWARDSThe Soto team was honored to win two awards in 2024 for 17 Mississippi and Delta Pearl. We are very grateful to have worked with Hamel and the NHP Foundation to create 17 Mississippi, which is tailored to local artists and supports individuals from the Permanent Supportive Housing Program. Another big thanks to our partners; Gilbane Development and Dantes Partners for working with us to renovate Delta Pearl, a 1970's landmark in the H Street corridor. NEW HIRES
SPECULATIONS REEVES CENTEROur second speculation focuses on our RFP submission for the Reeves Center, located on U Street. With the site being down the street from our office, we were passionate about this project and wanted to create a lively design for our own neighborhood. Our concept aims to maximize the needs of the neighborhood while also honoring the history of the site.  CREATIVE SUITLANDOur third speculation is about an RFP we responded to for Creative Suitland, an arts organization in Prince George's County, Maryland. The goal of this design was to create a space for artists, designers and innovators to gather and connect to nurture the creative process. Although our concept didn't win, we are proud of the final result and grateful for the opportunity to work with our partners at Mission First Housing. CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
LOOKING TO 2025We are looking forward to 2025 with multiple projects beginning, including our third office to residential conversion, our first permanent supportive housing project, and our first projects in the state of Virginia. 2025 will also be the yar of building completions, as we expect roughly 8-10 substantial completions. An exciting year ahead indeed!
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 For real estate developers and builders considering incorporating Passive House standards into a future multifamily residential project, Soto Architecture’s design of H.R. Crawford Gardens provides several lessons on elevating (affordable) multifamily design cost-effectively. This article delves into five key steps Soto Architecture employed in the design of H.R. Crawford Gardens to attain Passive House (PHIUS) certification along with Enterprise Green Community Plus 2020, Energy Star Multi-Family New Construction, DOE Zero Energy Ready Homes, and EPA Indoor airPLUS. If that sounds like a lot, you’re right, it is! But many of these programs are designed into the Passive House standards. In the end, it all comes together in a symphony of systems and decisions working together to provide a beautiful, safe and healthy building for residents of the building. 5 Principles
1. Air-Tight Construction and Panelized Construction Achieving a high level of airtight construction is critical to meeting the Passive House standard. Without air tightness, the potential for energy leakage or unwanted air infiltration can lead to serious moisture and durability issues. A high-quality air barrier, typically self-adhered or fluid-applied, is used in conjunction with robust interior air sealing details. The H.R. Crawford Gardens framing package is fabricated by a panelized builder offsite in Baltimore, M.D. The framing, sheathing and water-resistive air barrier (WRB) are fabricated in a warehouse under controlled conditions and assisted with high-tech manufacturing procedures instead of out in the elements. This allows the majority of exterior WRB joints, fenestration openings, and penetrations to be properly taped and quality control reviewed at eye level rather than high up on scaffolding in the elements. Greater consistency is achieved and the finished product is of higher quality. Panel joints will still need to be sealed in the field, but with proper preparation, this will be similar to the standard manufacturer transition.  Walls are ready to be delivered on site and assembled. 2. Superior Thermal Insulation H.R. Crawford Gardens prioritizes superior thermal insulation. The walls, floors and roof assemblies all work to limit heat transfer from inside to out or vice versa, depending on the season. Exterior walls have a layer of continuous exterior mineral wool insulation paired with standard batt insulation between studs. This continuous exterior insulation along with thermally broken cladding attachments eliminates thermal bridging at the exterior wall studs found on typical code-level projects. Rigid insulation is used at foundation walls and below the slab to reduce heat transfer through the ground. Lastly, the roof assembly uses a combination of rigid insulation on top of the structural roof sheathing paired with spray foam insulation below the sheathing. The key to success for floors, walls and roofs is that the insulation is installed on the outside of the building where it can be used to its fullest uninterrupted extent to create a thermal blanket for the building. There are no exotic materials here either. All of these are commonly used products within the building industry and are installed in well-known assemblies to allow for cost-effective and high-performance construction.  Thermally broken girts, such as the Smart CI Greengirt, are a cost effective way to improve your insulation effectiveness. 3. Great Windows and Doors, Without Breaking the Bank The Passive House standard emphasizes the installation of high-performance windows and doors with exceptional airtightness and thermal properties. Doors and windows typically become the weak points of a well-insulated wall. Accounting for this in Northern climates often means utilizing triple pane windows with robustly engineered frames. In the Washington, D.C. region, and as used at HR Crawford, high-performance double pane windows can still achieve the required U-values and Solar Heat Gain Coefficients without adding an additional layer of glass. Casement-style or other compression-style windows provide tighter air seals reducing air infiltration. While this is an upgrade over a standard code-compliant vinyl single-hung window, it falls below the higher costs of triple-pane windows. The improved air tightness and thermal performance enhance occupant comfort by reducing drafts, providing a quieter interior space, and providing long-term operational efficiency.  Intus Windows makes a great double pane window that meets Passive House standards in the DC region. 4. Balanced Mechanical Ventilation with Energy Recovery To maintain optimal indoor air quality while conserving energy, H.R. Crawford Gardens incorporates a dedicated Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) for each floor. The ERV provides a continuous supply of fresh air to every living space and common area while simultaneously removing stale air through exhaust ductwork. The ERV is then capable of recovering heating or cooling energy from exhaust air to temper the incoming fresh air. This process retains energy compared to constantly exhausting air directly to the exterior and limiting the conditioning of the incoming air required. For localized heating and cooling within the apartments, a high SEER mini split heat pump is provided at every unit to keep spaces comfortable. Occupants will benefit from a healthier living environment while the property owner will benefit from lower energy costs and lower tenant turnover.  Diagram of how an ERV works - credit to South Central Services 5. Building Electrification and Renewable Energy Integration Sustainability and energy codes are driving towards building electrification and site-generated renewables. Multifamily buildings tend to have a few key areas that still employ fossil fuels. These include gas cooktops, gas-fired mechanical systems, gas water heaters and emergency power backup systems. At HR Crawford, we moved to all electric appliances, a relatively simple switch and the ERV enabled us to replace the typical gas-fired Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) with a more efficient system. We are still employing a backup generator that utilizes natural gas. This is a limited use case that doesn’t impact the daily operation of the building while providing building safety and security in the event of power losses. The last big hurdle is the water heating system. Electric heat pump water heaters can be employed on an individual unit basis or building-wide. Note that standard electric water heaters don’t tend to meet the energy efficiency requirements for high-performance buildings. While heat pump water heater technologies are rapidly improving, the jump to this type of system did not result in a favorable cost-benefit analysis. For this building, a traditional, but highly efficient building-wide gas-fired water heating system with recirculation loops was chosen to provide hot water for residents. The building has been electrically wired for future transition to an electric system once the costs fall in line with current systems.  Using these steps to design high-performance multifamily residential projects like H.R. Crawford Gardens offers enduring benefits for both market-rate and affordable housing developers and owners. The energy-efficient design provides a more comfortable, cost-effective, and healthier space for tenants, contributing to increased affordability. Additionally, the durability and minimal maintenance requirements of air-tight and factory-built exterior and interior wall panels ensure reduced long-term operational costs, while higher performance also provides enhanced long-term positioning for developers.
 Barnaby & 7th is a 470-unit mixed-income redevelopment in the Washington Highlands neighborhood of Southeast Washington, DC. The redevelopment plan replaces existing small cluster apartment buildings, with new, sustainable buildings, that will be delivered in 3 phases. Soto Architecture is designing two buildings (2C and 2D) for the 2nd phase of the redevelopment. Buildings 2C and 2D are 4-story, wood frame construction, with a combined 106,000sf, 113 units, and a wealth of amenities for the residents. Both buildings are designed with sustainability in mind, featuring vegetated roofs, solar energy, and other strategies to meet Enterprise Green Communities Plus criteria. Each building is designed with its own distinct character, but responding to each other for a cohesive experience.  Design process images and diagrams The two buildings, roughly perpendicular to each other, are shaped to form an intentional space at the junction of the two sites. Mainly Building 2C has been shaped to have a centered response to the curve of 7th St, creating a central anchor, with a small plaza for residents' enjoyment. In addition to providing the residents and visitors with an exterior amenity space, it creates an engaging, and intentional experience for passersby. Both buildings have been designed with a thoughtful response to the urban fabric and the procession between exterior, amenity spaces and vertical circulation.  Facade design process diagrams The buildings exhibit projecting bays breaking up the overall massing and creating rhythm along the street. The materiality was carefully selected and utilized to break up the overall building masses and to emphasize key aspects of the project. The play between building shape and material composition suggest the entry locations, and emphasize the plaza between the buildings.  Building 2C Building 2C is the south anchor of the redeveloped community and extends to the corner at 7th St & Barnabas St. It offers 70 units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units, including 1-bedroom and studio units. The ground floor consists mostly of supporting spaces for the PSH use, and elegantly-designed amenities such as library, fitness room, nurse office, and lounge. The elevator lobby on all floors is located at the center of the small exterior plaza and the curve of 7th St, providing natural light and views into all floors. The exterior envelope showcases a mixture of dark gray brick, Corten steel panels, corrugated metal, and fiber cement siding.  Building 2D Building 2D creates a pleasant rhythm along the street with its projecting bays. It brings its own exterior material palette with blueish gray brick, wood-inspired siding, and fiber cement siding. The building offers a total of 52,640 gross square feet with 43 mixed-income units, including 2 and 1-bedroom units. Building 2D features an inviting lobby, a small fitness room, and a community room with a kitchen and 2 small outdoor patios. In similar fashion to building 2C, the elevator lobbies are intentionally located near windows, so all floors are provided with abundant natural light and views to the outdoors. Overall this project brings a fresh design solution that elevates the neighborhood, while providing high quality mixed-income housing that is up to new standards. We’re excited to bring this project to Southeast, DC. Interior Renderings Location: Ward 8, Washington, DC
Building 2C: 4233 7th St SE Building 2D: 4225 7th St SE Developer: Gilbane Development Company Builder: Bozzuto Construction Construction Type: Wood Frame Projected Date of Completion: March 2026 Total Number of Units: 113 total units | 106,200 sf total | 4 Stories Building 2C: 70 units | 53,560 sf (permanent supportive housing (PSH)) Building 2D: 43 | 52,640 sf  Attending architecture school in the mid-2000's, I was always enamored with the material Corten steel. Corten is a great material that has not only a nice warm hue and texture, but also is authentic - real metal that is really rusting. The sentimental architect in me lauds the poetry of the building's age being seen in the facade as it continuously rusts, like an active ruin of a bygone era. I know, I know - you didn't come here for that - but it does have a beautiful aesthetic that makes any building stand out in a crowded market. We believe that it should be used more often in our cities and especially on our affordable housing projects. We will use our recently completed project 17 Mississippi Apartments as a case study. Why Corten?COR-TEN (CORrosion resistance, TENsile strength) steel as it is officially referred to was a steel that was developed in the 1900's for outdoor applications, as the steel would form a natural protective coating (rust) as it is exposed to the elements. As the panels rust, a beautiful patina develops, starting at an orange color and ending at a brown color. This process can take up to ten years and is constantly changing day by day. The steel can be made into a variety of different forms and shapes - including flat sheets for cladding. The product has been used around the world on infrastructure, public art, and buildings both as roofing and cladding. There are many benefits in using Corten cladding on buildings, including:
 Our Process17 Mississippi Apartments is a recently completed 41 unit affordable housing project that utilized Corten cladding. Below is our step-by-step process for success with Corten:
Design and Price RustWall Concealed Fastener Panel The building had a number of units set aside for artists in the neighborhood, so we wanted to with a palette of unique and tactile building materials. We reviewed a few options, but came across the Rustwall product from Western Metal Roofing. The concealed fastener panel is easy to install and only needs a 1/2” z channel to work in a rain screen system. The astonishing thing was the price for the material - I recently re-checked this and the material is under $4 a sf. As we went through the pricing and value engineering process, we were able to keep the product in the budget. Mock-Up Wall TestingAs we discussed the material with the client, it came up that the client wanted the patina finish to not only be achieved by groundbreaking, but also for it to remain into perpetuity. The panel, when it arrives on site, is a battleship gray. Our renderings relied on the orange patina and the client expected this on day one. Luckily, there are rust accelerants to speed up the process, as well as rust coatings that would stop the process all together. Testing was performed on a mock-up wall prior to implementation on the building. We tested all sorts of application styles (brush, roller, spray etc…) and number of coatings. The rust accelerant was particularly impressive. In a matter of minutes, what would take a year to create magically appears in front of your eyes. The mock-up phase was necessary to get ownership buy-in and also for us to get the correct coloring for the building. We were now ready for the full order and install.  Mock-Up wall prior to accelerant  Mock-Up wall with one coating (left and two coatings (right) of rust accelerant InstallationAt 17 Mississippi, we used a vertical alignment for the panels and applied directly to the Zip sheathing backup. This allowed water to flow down the weather barrier without any pooling. We installed all panels without any coatings applied and then washed the panels with a hose to remove any oils or adhesives that may have been used during shipping. The client was a bit concerned about runoff staining, so we installed a 3” wide gravel strip on grade below the panel. This process was complete within a week and is not any different from a traditional cladding install.  Vertical panel install
Final ThoughtsThe pictures below speak for themselves - we achieved the proposed aesthetic and the building really pops. We are also proud to announce that a year after install the product is still in good condition and no staining/runoff is seen at any of the windows or at the ground. The panels even look better than they did a year ago. I also want to emphasize that the three coatings are not needed - this product could be installed and left to rust naturally over time. It is really up to the building owner’s preference. Although there is some extra care that is needed with this material, it is not overly expensive or hard to work with and maintain. This should open the door for more builders and designers to add a new look to their palette and further beautify our world in the housing they provide.    1 year later and no runoff staining seen
 Please join us in celebrating the end of another great year at Soto Architecture and Urban Design! As always, we could not have achieved anything without our faithful partners, local community, and passionate people.COMPLETED PROJECTSIn 2023, we completed two affordable multifamily housing projects in Washington D.C.: 17 Mississippi and Delta Pearl. 17 Mississippi serves local artists, families and individuals from the Permanent Supportive Housing Program. Delta Pearl will serve the Northeast area of DC, after its departure from housing the elderly since the 1970’s.
THE PEOPLE OF SOTO This year we welcomed five new employees to Soto.
HIGHLIGHT OF 2023In 2023, Soto team was excited to announce that we’ve moved offices, doubling our space! While our relocation is just across the street to 1407 T Street NW—the new accommodations signify our growth as a company and the results of our commitment to crafting lasting structures that enrich urban communities. With input from the team, we were able to design our new space to fit our needs and create a modern space to support our work. Our new digs include 15 desks, airy community spaces, a kitchen with luxe finishes, and floor-to-ceiling windows and a delightful patio overlooking the 14th Street Corridor. Did we mention how thrilled we are to remain in a neighborhood that’s rich in history, arts, culture, and design? WHAT IS COMING IN 2024? 2024 brings an exciting ten year anniversary for Soto. The past ten years have been full of passion and dedication for every project we had the opportunity to work on. We started our firm in 2014 with the goal to enrich the neighborhoods we work on. Over the decade, we’ve tripled the size of our team—most recently hiring a new interior designer and a seasoned project manager. Since our inception, we have designed over 3.5 Million square feet of multifamily, mixed-use, student, and senior developments including 5,000 apartment units. We look forward to celebrating our tenth year anniversary and continuing to improve the communities where we work. We would like to thank our partners, community and people for an amazing 2023. We cannot wait for what is in store for 2024! Join us in celebrating the end of another great year at Soto Please join us in celebrating the end of another great year at Soto Architecture and Urban Design! As always, we could not have achieved anything without our faithful partners, local community, and passionate people. Some highlights of this year include: Completed Projects This year we completed The Lewis, a senior apartment community in Suitland, Maryland. this Project has a total of 137 Units, with a focus on providing accessible homes for seniors. We also are currently wrapping up the Woodmore Apartments. Woodmore is a market-rate development with five four-story buildings with 268 apartments. Public amenities include a party room, fitness room, and other private gathering spaces.
Under Construction - This was a banner year for projects starting construction, as six projects kicked off in 2022. 
The People of Soto
Our people are the straw that stirs the drink. 2022 led to many new and exciting opportunities, including: This year we welcomed three new employees to Soto.
This year, we promoted several well deserving employees.
These great people helped lead us to many awesome events and awards throughout the year.
What is coming in 2023?2023 presents many new opportunities for our team. We are excited to wrap up two projects, 17 Mississippi Ave Apartments and the Delta 2 Towers Renovation in Spring 2023. We also have a number of RFP’s we are looking forward to the new year. Slated for completion 2023
We would like to thank our partners, community and people. For an amazing 2022. We look forward to an equally amazing year in 2023We are excited to share that construction at Harvard Hall Apartments has kicked into high gear! This is our second renovation project with Akelius Real Estate management in the District of Columbia and is located just a short walk from the previously completed Century Apartments on 16th street. Originally built in 1928, the 156-unit building will be expanded to 182 units with a penthouse addition and reorganization of the interior layouts. The building will undergo a complete replacement of the interior building systems and extensive improvements to upgrade the exterior envelope to align with current energy codes. The building is currently tracking for LEED Gold certification. Highlights of the project include:
A key design tenant of the renovation was to involve the resident association and to enable residents, some of whom have lived in the building for over 35 years, to return to a fresh and new space that still felt like home. Harvard Hall is not included on the historic registry but through our concept and schematic design work both the ownership and design teams decided that maintaining the history and character of the building was going to be key to a great outcome for the neighborhood, current residents and future residents. The design preserves and repairs the existing façade while adding amenities and energy efficient elements to ensure that Harvard Hall lasts another 100 years. We are ecstatic that all of the hard work put into the project by so many is coming to fruition, and we are very excited to see this building transform in the coming year. Special thanks to the team for their work and extensive effort that has been brought to this project. Engenium Group, Ehlert Bryan Structural, LSG Landscaping, Walter Phillips Civil, Steven Winter Associates, and many more. Bozzuto Construction Company will complete the renovation. The ExteriorThe InteriorOn Thursday, October 27 2022, Soto attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony of The Residences at Cold Spring Lane alongside Mayor Brandon Scott, Council President Nick Mosby, Conifer Realty, Park Heights Renaissance, and other community partners.
On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, the Soto team attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at The Lewis in Suitland, Maryland. It was great to see our work come to fruition, and celebrate this milestone with Mission First HDC, the Prince George’s County Redevelopment Authority, L.A. Bolden Company, The Henson Development Company, as well as many others who contributed to the success of this development. The celebration shone a light on how the completion of The Lewis is a positive step for affordable senior living in Prince George’s County. The completion is also a monumental milestone for the up and coming Towne Square at Suitland Federal Center, as it is the key component to the ever growing community of Suitland. During the ceremony, the Soto team’s hard work was kindly acknowledged by Sarah Constant, Senior Vice President of Mission First HDC. She noted that our hard work and attention to detail helped bring their vision to life… a beautiful result made possible through our dedication to the project. They also showed pride in how Soto’s attentiveness to the project led to a completion that was not only on-time, but also below budget. The Lewis consists of 137 units, comprising 111,000 square feet, and rising six stories tall. The Lewis so far has welcomed 99 residents, and we can’t wait to see the community continue to grow. The Lewis also provides residents with a club room, rooftop terrace, yoga room, fitness center, and party room. These spaces, as we already witnessed on Tuesday, encourage residents to gather, communicate, and remain physically active… creating a community of their own. "While at the ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting some of the current residents living there. One excited new resident invited the Soto team into his apartment, in which he told us how he loved his spacious two bedroom apartment. He not only loved the open kitchen and living concept to entertain his guests, but also the fact that the second bedroom is spacious enough to welcome his guests to stay over. It was exciting to meet a current resident who has made this beautiful project his home, and to see how enthusiastic he was about sharing his space with the design team." - Jennifer Castellanos, Project Coordinator + Interiors It was heartwarming to meet the residents at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and see how living in the Lewis and our attention to detail has made an impact on these residents’ lives. We are proud of the completion of The Lewis, and the impact we are not only able to make on the Suitland community, but also, for affordable senior housing in the DMV!
 The Soto team is excited to share that Livingston Place at Southern Avenue has been awarded the Golden Nugget Award of Merit for Best Affordable Senior Housing Community.
Livingston Place opened on June 4th, 2021 with a ribbon cutting ceremony that marked the monumental opening of the first affordable senior living community in Washington DC. We are proud to have contributed to such a monumental project alongside Hamel Builders, Gilbane Development Company, Dantes Partners, Wiles Mensch, and Aumen Asner. It is an honor to have been awarded such a prestigious award alongside other top innovators in design, planning, and development in the nation. On Thursday June 16, 2022, Soto attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony of The Residences at Springbrook. The Residences at Springbrook is a four-story new-construction senior housing development in Clinton, MD. This project features 90 units with a mix of 72 one-bedroom units and 18 two-bedroom units. It features community spaces such as a fitness center, cafe, party room and rear patio that allows residents to connect with one another. The Soto Team is excited to see where this project takes us in the future! On Wednesday, June 8, 2022, the Soto team excitedly attended the Topping Out Ceremony at Woodmore Apartments, alongside developer Varsity Investment Group and the builder, CBG Building Company. The team began walking through the almost completed clubhouse, then through the many different construction phases on site: from beginning framing to viewing finished units. Woodmore Apartments is a new market-rate community located in Glenarden, Maryland of Prince George’s County. The community consists of five four-story buildings with 268 apartments. Additionally, a five-thousand square foot clubhouse will provide future residents with a party room, fitness room, and gathering spaces. Seeing this large project come to life was exciting for our team, as it is one of our largest projects in construction yet.
This experience was a great lesson learned for the team and we are excited to see the continued progress of Woodmore as construction continues!
Learn more about the Woodmore Apartment project here  On Friday, May 20, 2022, the Soto Team attended the Montgomery County Affordable Housing Conference, where we received First Place for Architectural Design for the Renovation of 22 Light Street, located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. Livingston Place also received an award at the conference.
Additionally, Livingston Place is a finalist for a 2022 Gold Nugget Award! A Gold Nugget award is a national award selected from over 600 entries for innovation in design, planning, and development. It is an honor to even be considered a finalist for this prestigious award. The winners will be announced on June 22, 2022 at the Gold Nuggets Awards, and we are excited to hear the results! We are excited and proud of the awards and recognition we are receiving for our work so far this year and we can't wait to see what else 2022 has to offer for the Soto Team! On Tuesday, the Soto team joined partners from the NHP Foundation, Legacy Real Estate Development, Aetna CVS Health, Hamel Builders, and local artists at Paramount Baptist Church in southeast to celebrate the roof-raising of 17 Mississippi Ave. The celebration was not only for the building’s progress, but for the partnerships that made the project possible and the impact it will have on the local community. The four-story, 41-unit building will provide a mix of affordable, artist, and permanent supportive housing in Ward 8. Construction progress continues to be on-budget and ahead of schedule, set to deliver in early 2023!
The building has really taken shape over the past month, with most of the framing completed and roof trusses being installed this week. The exterior is being sheathed and prepared for cladding and windows in the coming weeks, while plumbing continues to be installed inside. The design team is thrilled with the progress, and is continuing to look for opportunities to incorporate local artists’ work into the building and site. See NBC Washington’s coverage here: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dc-affordable-housing-to-devote-space-to-artists/3053763/ The Soto team is excited to share that Phase One of Park Morton has begun, alongside the developer, The Community Builders, and the builder, Hamel Builders.
The multi-family community will be located in the Park View neighborhood of Washington DC and will bring two new-construction mixed-income buildings to the neighborhood. The first phase underway is a five story apartment building, consisting of 142 units, exterior courtyards, a ground floor amenity space, underground parking, and roof terraces. We can’t wait to see the development of this project in its new phase of construction! The Soto team is proud to share that Livingston Place, located in Southeast Washington DC, and 22 Light Street, located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, have both been awarded Excellence Awards!
Livingston Place, which was completed and opened in June of 2021, has been awarded an Award of Excellence in Multifamily from the National Association of Local Housing Finance Agencies (NALHFA). Livingston Place was the first assisted-living community built in the District of Columbia’s Ward eight. The facility has amenities and accommodations for residents to receive assistance eating, bathing, grooming, as well as medical assistance. These amenities and accommodations include a salon, a dining room with a commercial-sized kitchen, as well as medical facilities. 22 Light Street, which also opened in the summer of 2021, was awarded the 2022 Excellence in Affordable Housing Preservation Award by the Department of Housing and Community Development of Maryland. 22 Light Street was an adaptive reuse of an existing 6-story office building, with a long, rich history in Baltimore. The historic Lanhan Building’s exterior and structure was beautifully preserved, while the interior was artfully redesigned to accommodate high quality residential apartments. In the past year, we have excitedly seen residents move into both Livingston Place and 22 Light Street, making them their new homes! Soto is excited to see our project at 17 Mississippi Avenue SE make significant progress and rise out of the ground! The four-story, 41-unit building will provide a mix of affordable, artist, and permanent supportive housing in Ward 8. Currently running on-schedule and on-budget, the building is set to deliver in early 2023.
Most of the site work, excavation and grading is complete, as well as the concrete garage and cellar levels, allowing for the recent erection of the CMU stair and elevator cores. In the following weeks, framing will begin and the building will rapidly take shape! Meanwhile, the design team is anticipating the delivery of materials for the exterior mockup to evaluate colors, textures, and finishes for the building, and working on collecting and evaluating samples for the interior finishes such as flooring, tile, wall coverings and paint colors. By Kyle Huck, Project Coordinator  We are excited to see and share the progress being made at Suitland Senior in Suitland, Maryland! Soon this 137 unit senior development will be a key component of the Town Square at Suitland Federal Center, and we can't wait to welcome residents to make this place their home in the future.
Breaking Down More Barriers Through Design On Wednesday, July 7, 2021, the ribbon was cut at 809 Kennedy Street NW, in the Brightwood Park Neighborhood in the District of Columbia, marking the opening of the Todd A. Lee Senior Residences. It was an honor to have contributed to such an amazing project, alongside Dantes Partners, Gilbane Development Company, and DCHFA, in honor of the late Todd Lee, who was an advocate for affordable housing in the District of Columbia.
This summer, Soto brought on two junior interns from Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Maryland, to teach them what it is like to work in the architectural field and to help guide them in what kind of career they would like to pursue in the future. Alina D'Andrade was the first, and worked here, at Soto, for three weeks. Alina is a rising junior at Elizabeth Seton High School, who enjoys math and art and is a member of the varsity volleyball team at her high school. While at Soto, she experienced working with architectural software, like Sketchup, and assisted in design process of some of our current projects.
On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, the team went to the construction site of the future Suitland Senior. Suitland Senior is a senior development project consisting of 137 units in Suitland, Maryland. The development embraces new urbanism and the goals of mixed-use town centers. The building will soon face a town, which will encourage seniors to participate in civic and cultural activities. The building will provide many amenities to this future senior community, including social and medical services, many community rooms, especially on the upper-most level, and an outdoor roof garden.
Final touches are underway at 22 Light Street in the Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland. 22 Light Street will serve as an affordable residence, with a nine percent tax credit, to downtown Baltimore.
On Friday, June 4th, 2021, the Soto team proudly attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of the firm’s first completed new construction project on Southern Avenue in Southeast DC. The Soto team worked with Hamel Builder to deliver Livingston Place, the first affordable living community in the District of Columbia. The development and construction of this project on Southern Avenue SE will provide new opportunities for enhanced quality of life for the aging population in Ward 8 of the district.
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Soto Architecture & Urban Design is Registered as a Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) by The District of Columbia's Department of Small and Local Business Development (DCDSLBD) and as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). We are also a USGBC and Energy Star Partner.
Soto Architecture & Urban Design, pllc
1407 T Street NW Suite 200
Washington DC 20009
(202) 750-6717
Soto Architecture & Urban Design, pllc
1407 T Street NW Suite 200
Washington DC 20009
(202) 750-6717