The Congress for the New Urbanism recently announced that WRT's US House of Representatives Office Buildings Facilities Plan and Preliminary South Capitol Area Plan in Washington, DC was the recipient of a CNU Charter Award for 2009. The award recognizes excellence in urbanism and sustainability. "The plan uses the future office and security needs of the U.S. House of Representatives as a catalyst for bringing graceful urbanism inspired by the L'Enfant Plan to the neglected, freeway-traversed area south of the US Capitol," states the CNU press release for the award. "It draws inspiration from reviving historic street patterns and restoring urban fabric partially obscured by freeways and disinvestment."
"Working for the Architect of the Capitol to articulate a vision for the future of the US House of Representatives and the South Capitol District—within the grounds of the US Capitol Complex—was truly an honor. The recognition bestowed by the CNU Charter Award adds to that honor, to underscore the significance of the task that we were entrusted with," said WRT Principal Antonio Fiol-Silva.
The ten professional and two academic projects selected by a jury of leading urbanists for the prestigious Charter Awards represent the best of the New Urbanism. At a time of major simultaneous challenges involving economics, energy, and the environment, the projects serve as important models for growth and redevelopment that promotes long-term sustainability, livability and community value. They will be recognized in a ceremony at the annual Congress for the New Urbanism in Denver, CO, on June 13.
