This winning design-build competition proposal entailed programming and preliminary site and building design used to redevelop a virtual node in the City of Hartford. The Albany and Woodland function both as an access point to the city for commuters, as a vibrant neighborhood providing critical community, and cultural functions and services. It is a neighborhood in the process of regeneration, Accordingly, the design mandate was to both provide local amenities and housing, as well as to secure engagement with commuters with retail and foodservice establishments.

 

The architectural approach acknowledges the rich architectural history of Hartford and the local fabrics of the built environment in materials, proportions, and detailing, while at the same time creating energetic modern massing, Multiple build-out scenarios were studied for the developers in order to work with potential tenants and tenant types. The directives of local neighborhood groups and stakeholders and the City of Hartford also meshed with those of the developer in order to conceive the winning proposal.