The first master planned community in the nation, Colonial Village, in Arlington gets an energy efficient upgrade while staying true to its historical roots.
The architects at Weincek and Associates are no strangers to the demands of a multi-family full-gut renovation, but when it comes to a historical preservation project on top of a full-interior renovation that happens to be energy efficient, now that is a different spin, but nothing that their seasoned team of professionals can’t handle. Weincek along with the construction crew at Hamel builders have teamed up with EarthCraft Virginia to create a plan to bring the amazing housing development of Colonial Village in the Courthouse district of Arlington into this Century and beyond.
Nearly two years ago, EcoBroker Genevieve Concannon did a write up about what was once considered in the 1930′s as an oasis in Arlington. Her words are as follows: Meticulous craftsmanship from a great era, Colonial Village in the heart of Arlington’s Courthouse area has been mastered and re-mastered. Arlington’s original and first apartment living community, Colonial Village was developed by Gustave Ring as a place where people could live conveniently and comfortably amidst fenced courtyards, illuminated gardens and manicured green spaces. It is said that when it was originally built, the list was so long that some young women of the era were planning their wedding dates around when their application would be accepted at this exclusive community! The tree dappled six acre tract of land offers mostly studio spaces, but also one and two bedroom, one bath colonial homes complete with Old English charm which is perfectly preserved with brick facades wrapping this entire community. Elegant ease comes to mind when thinking of Colonial Village.
What Genevieve was probably also able to note as she went through the historic community aside from the stunning gardens, towering magnolias and mature hedges was on the inside of the buildings; the impressive amounts of moisture damage which had occurred over time in this landmark building, in which brides would schedule their wedding dates around securing a home. Enter Chris Conway, and the EarthCraft team to do pre-demolition testing to see how much damage has been done to the building, how leaky the buildings truly are and where the most impact can be made by doing energy efficient upgrades. After a sampling of units across the entire project is taken, an Chris creates an energy model which is presented to Weincek and Associates, who have already painstakingly designed plans for a more energy efficient homes which are keeping the historical integrity of the building and the grounds intact.
Now that the actual construction is underway and the Hamel team has started the demolition, something interesting to note is that Arlington county and the Historical Preservation committee would not allow for the construction team to take down any walls and all removal of refuse was to be done by hand until two weeks ago, when the county agreed to take down two of the “perfectly preserved brick” pillars with wrought iron so that backhoes could get in and out to expedite the construction. The team is deconstructing the property in a historically correct way to take care to preserve the integrity of the building, but prepare it for the new wall systems, insulation, and more which will bring this historical project up to speed in the community for the benefit of the residents.
This project is much more than just getting an interior energy upgrade; this project is the preservation of a great piece of Arlington history. The whole team from the architects, construction crew, historical preservation committee, energy auditors and even the folks who currently live in and around the area, everyone is taking part in keeping this project on track to become a hybrid in its own time. A historical preservation property, with an energy efficient upgrade.
More details to come on this project as it progresses. Keep yourself up to date on EarthCraft and other sustainably built projects here!
Tags: colonial village in arlington, colonial. village in courthouse, earthcraft projects in arlington, energy efficient upgrades, historical preservation and energy efficinecy in arlington, historical preservation project
