Amaris Penthouse
An inventive installation method unlocks outdoor living potential along the Potomac
- Location
Washington, DC
- Type
Residential
- Landscape Architect
Parker Rodriguez
- Architect
Raphael Viñoly Architects
- Installer
Fine Point Construction
This deck raises the bar for inspired outdoor living. As part of the striking Amaris luxury condominium building on The Wharf in Washington, DC, the space is designed to maximize views of the waterfront and city. We collaborated with Parker Rodriguez to develop a fully functional outdoor living area that preserves those remarkable views and the light, contemporary aesthetic of the residence.
Our main challenge for this project was fulfilling the client’s vision of a pergola, planter system, kitchen, and more while meeting the building engineers’ requirement of no structural attachments. We also had to accommodate for potential windspeeds of 115 miles per hour. Our solution was to construct a specialized ballast system to hold the structures down. The ballast system incorporated the weight of the planters and steel plates weighing 10,000 pounds, all hidden below the deck. This system essentially served as a floating foundation, circumventing the need to drill or place anchors.
With engineering requirements met, we moved forward with building the shade structure, exterior kitchen with custom cabinetry, planters, integrated seating, and a firepit. The result is an amazing open-air living and dining room within minutes of major DC landmarks.
