Architecture, Inc. is honored to receive a Gold Award in the Historic Renovation category from the Brick Industry Association’s (BIA) Brick in Architecture Awards. Since 1989, BIA has showcased the nation’s most outstanding clay brick projects through this annual competition, recognizing excellence in design as well as innovative and sustainable uses of clay brick.

The award recognizes the restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1888 Harrison Apartment Building, which transformed Washington, DC’s oldest surviving purpose-built apartment building and designated Historic Landmark into a central component of Arlo Washington DC, a 445-key boutique lifestyle hotel. Identified in the Apartment Buildings in Washington, DC, 1880–1945 Multiple Property Document, the Harrison is a rare “Rowhouse-Type Apartment Building,” representing a transitional moment in the city’s residential development that introduced multi-family living within the familiar architectural language of traditional rowhouses.

The five-story (plus cellar) Romanesque Revival building was carefully restored, preserving its public-facing three- and four-wythe brick and brownstone façade, cast-iron-supported vaulted brick structure, distinctive cornice detailing, and signature corner turret. Inside, the historic lightwell and north core were retained, with exposed historic brick and vaults incorporated into the new hotel interior. The historic brick, terracotta, and brownstone façade of the Harrison also served as key inspirational elements for the Arlo addition. Through coordination with the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), a complementary approach was confirmed, utilizing contrasting cream-colored brick to distinguish the new construction from the deep red brick of the historic building. Unique brick shapes, semi-arched and full-arched windows, brownstone sills, and terracotta panels informed a cohesive material palette that bridges old and new.

Learn more about the awards, project, and Arlo Washington DC’s historic impact below.