New Apartments with an Owner’s Unit
Harrison South Apartments
Building new, while respecting historic context, in the heart of Capitol Hill.
Located in the heart of Capitol Hill just one block off of Broadway, this apartment project nestles between two elegant, century-old brick buildings. Born of the desire to downsize from a large family home, our client chose to take advantage of an underdeveloped lot in the city center and construct a small, 8-unit apartment building, including an owner’s unit.
In deference to the neighboring structures, the design employs three stories of symmetry, rigorous composition, and traditional brick cladding to fit in with the historic context. At the fourth floor, a metal-clad, modern volume is inserted into the more traditional masonry architecture. The upper floor steps back from the brick façade to reduce bulk and create outdoor space, while a low-slope shed roof provides a gentle dynamism to the fourth-floor spaces.
By replacing parking spaces with dwelling units, the project contributes needed density to a growing city and evolving neighborhood. In respecting its historic context, using elegant materials, and providing a mix of unit types (studios to large two-bedrooms), the project aims to maintain the best of Capitol Hill, while making room for more to share this great community.
Old and New Worlds
Nestled between two historic buildings, the goal was to build a timeless exterior using durable, classic materials — a refreshed, modern take inspired by, and pairing naturally with, the surrounding architecture. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Old and New Worlds
Nestled between two historic buildings, the goal was to build a timeless exterior using durable, classic materials — a refreshed, modern take inspired by, and pairing naturally with, the surrounding architecture. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Street Appeal
Lush, green landscaping helps the building assimilate with its surroundings, as if it’s been a part of the block for much longer. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Street Appeal
Lush, green landscaping helps the building assimilate with its surroundings, as if it’s been a part of the block for much longer. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Welcome to Harrison South
Simple and clean, the entrance features brick, stone, metal, and lush, natural landscaping, with the building’s name prominently displayed in a classic, old-fashioned cursive font. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Welcome to Harrison South
Simple and clean, the entrance features brick, stone, metal, and lush, natural landscaping, with the building’s name prominently displayed in a classic, old-fashioned cursive font. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
On-Site Parking
Surface parking for the small apartment building is tucked behind the building, away from the street. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
On-Site Parking
Surface parking for the small apartment building is tucked behind the building, away from the street. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Penthouse Unit
Echoing the exterior, the interior of the penthouse-level owner’s unit uses a blend of classic, natural materials to balance modern living with traditional architectural forms. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Penthouse Unit
Echoing the exterior, the interior of the penthouse-level owner’s unit uses a blend of classic, natural materials to balance modern living with traditional architectural forms. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Harrison South Apartments
The drama of a dark, textural hearth is offset by flanking built-in storage in a blond wood finish. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Harrison South Apartments
The drama of a dark, textural hearth is offset by flanking built-in storage in a blond wood finish. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Transitional Features
Expansive windows with divided lights are a classic feature that feels both industrial and antique, like the massive windows of an old warehouse. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Transitional Features
Expansive windows with divided lights are a classic feature that feels both industrial and antique, like the massive windows of an old warehouse. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Indoor Outdoor Connections
The upper level of the penthouse unit features a massive sliding glass wall opening to a private rooftop patio. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Indoor Outdoor Connections
The upper level of the penthouse unit features a massive sliding glass wall opening to a private rooftop patio. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Rooftop Garden
Perched high in the treetops, the private rooftop patio is teeming with flowers and plant life spilling over planter boxes. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Rooftop Garden
Perched high in the treetops, the private rooftop patio is teeming with flowers and plant life spilling over planter boxes. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Keep It Simple
The rooftop is decorated with simple, classic pieces that allow the flowers and plant life to bring natural, vibrant color to the space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Keep It Simple
The rooftop is decorated with simple, classic pieces that allow the flowers and plant life to bring natural, vibrant color to the space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Dark Meets Light
The interior uses both dark and light neutrals, made possible by an abundance of natural light via large windows and skylights. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Dark Meets Light
The interior uses both dark and light neutrals, made possible by an abundance of natural light via large windows and skylights. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Great Room
With the more-private spaces spread across two floors, the kitchen, dining, and living room of the penthouse unit share a large open space filled with light. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Great Room
With the more-private spaces spread across two floors, the kitchen, dining, and living room of the penthouse unit share a large open space filled with light. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Making the Most
The kitchen features ample closed storage and countertop space that maximizes the functionality of the space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Making the Most
The kitchen features ample closed storage and countertop space that maximizes the functionality of the space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Integrated Appliances
A wine fridge is tucked under the kitchen island counter, opening to the side of the room where the social gatherings occur, so as not to disrupt the action in the kitchen. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Integrated Appliances
A wine fridge is tucked under the kitchen island counter, opening to the side of the room where the social gatherings occur, so as not to disrupt the action in the kitchen. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Clean Lines
The kitchen island creates a clear-cut path defining the kitchen as its own, sleek space within the open floor plan. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Clean Lines
The kitchen island creates a clear-cut path defining the kitchen as its own, sleek space within the open floor plan. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Design Flight
The guest bath is a true experience — dark colors were made possible by a large window that floods the space with light, while overhead, a flock of birds brings motion and unique visual intrigue to the room. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Design Flight
The guest bath is a true experience — dark colors were made possible by a large window that floods the space with light, while overhead, a flock of birds brings motion and unique visual intrigue to the room. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Stunning Stairs
A chocolate-wood staircase and tall, narrow stairwell is illuminated by an overhead skylight, while a striped stair runner promotes movement and creates a pleasing illusion. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Stunning Stairs
A chocolate-wood staircase and tall, narrow stairwell is illuminated by an overhead skylight, while a striped stair runner promotes movement and creates a pleasing illusion. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Personal Spaces
A cozy, casual downstairs den is the ideal spot to curl up and spend the night binging your favorite movies. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Personal Spaces
A cozy, casual downstairs den is the ideal spot to curl up and spend the night binging your favorite movies. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Subdued Design
Muted colors, such as the rust-red couch, create a pleasing, nostalgic contrast against the crisp lines of the wood slat partition at the stair beyond. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Subdued Design
Muted colors, such as the rust-red couch, create a pleasing, nostalgic contrast against the crisp lines of the wood slat partition at the stair beyond. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Down the Hall
A sleek, precisely detailed, modern hallway featuring a moody color palette opens up to reveal an open-concept common area flooded in natural light. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Down the Hall
A sleek, precisely detailed, modern hallway featuring a moody color palette opens up to reveal an open-concept common area flooded in natural light. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Niche Details
With every corner, surface, and piece of trim defined, crisp details, like the door opening flush into a niche in the hall, come to fruition. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Niche Details
With every corner, surface, and piece of trim defined, crisp details, like the door opening flush into a niche in the hall, come to fruition. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Rise and Shine
The primary suite in the penthouse unit features a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the street below. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Rise and Shine
The primary suite in the penthouse unit features a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the street below. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Spa Bathroom
The primary bath feels light, fresh, and airy, with plenty of windows, organic materials, and soothing neutrals. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Spa Bathroom
The primary bath feels light, fresh, and airy, with plenty of windows, organic materials, and soothing neutrals. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Rental Units
Occupying the lower floors of the building, rental units feature spacious kitchens and an open floor plan, with large windows to light the space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Rental Units
Occupying the lower floors of the building, rental units feature spacious kitchens and an open floor plan, with large windows to light the space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Flowing Spaces
Beyond the common space, a transition in floor material and large, double doors lead to the bedroom suite. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Flowing Spaces
Beyond the common space, a transition in floor material and large, double doors lead to the bedroom suite. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Chef’s Dreams
The kitchens feature bright whites, punchy accents like round, frosted overhead light fixtures, and large islands to maximize functional space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Chef’s Dreams
The kitchens feature bright whites, punchy accents like round, frosted overhead light fixtures, and large islands to maximize functional space. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Natural Light
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom bring an urban feel to the space while also amplifying natural light. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Natural Light
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom bring an urban feel to the space while also amplifying natural light. Harrison South Apartments | Photo by Andrew Giammarco.
Notes & Credits
Architecture and Landscape Architecture by Board & Vellum.
General Contracting by Fairbank Construction Company.
Interior Design by Leilani Marie Saar at Ralston+Saar Interiors.
Structural Engineering by Robert Henry, PE, SE at Swenson Say Faget.
Civil Engineering by Nick Bosoff Engineering, Inc.
Lighting Design Consultation by Luminous NW.
Photography by Andrew Giammarco.
Want to learn more?
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Services
Our design services encompass architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, with teams specializing in projects across the spectrum, from single-family homes to multifamily and mixed-use buildings, and from boutique commercial spaces to civic spaces, like parks. We love designing the integrated fabric of structures, spaces, and places that create vibrant neighborhoods.
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