Solea Condominiums

The Solea is a 62-unit mixed-income development located in the 14th Street corridor of Washington, DC. Emerging as a newly desirable residential area in the Northwest quadrant of the city, this area was marred by the destructive riots of the 1960s and faced decades of decline and disinvestment. It is now a neighborhood where swift gentrification threatens longtime residents and the area’s historical and cultural legacy.

The design is reminiscent of the traditional Washington apartment house with projecting bays, interpreted in a modern vocabulary. Building materials, such as corrugated metal panels and stucco, were selected for functionality, durability, and affordability. With a mission to incubate and preserve local African American-owned businesses, more than 20 percent of the units were designed as live-work residences, interspersed among ground-floor retail and upper-floor residential units. In addition, a large percentage of the units are set aside for households with incomes below the area median. The compact, simple floor plan of U-shaped geometry around a courtyard maximizes efficiency while providing ample light and air into each of the units. The project successfully strikes a balance between cost consciousness and innovation and served as a catalyst for sustainable development.

This work was designed and completed by Suman Sorg while at Sorg Architects.