Barnaby & 7th: Buildings 2C & 2D

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

​