OWNER: Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services
CATEGORY: Commercial
YEAR COMPLETED: 2024
PHOTOGRAPHER: Abdul Khan (Reingold), Sean Stadler (WDG), Seifallah Abdellatif (DPWES)
SUPERVISOR DISTRICT: Franconia
DESIGN AWARD JURY COMMENTS: The Springfield Community Business Center is an excellent example of a community project that shows great attention to detail and provides multiple uses for the community. This project used resources well and produced a design that is not only relevant today but will be available to the community for years to come. The project utilizes a design that creates interest through its design elements and the use of color. The project while a large design took care to pay attention to small details. The jury was especially impressed that a traditionally utilitarian structure was elevated to not only be highly functional but resourceful, well-programmed, sustainable and visually interesting with multiple uses.
ARCHITECT: Gensler
OWNER: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
CATEGORY: Commercial Interiors
YEAR COMPLETED: 2024
PHOTOGRAPHER: Garrett Rowland Photography
SUPERVISOR DISTRICT: Hunter Mill
DESIGN AWARD JURY COMMENTS: The Volkswagen Group of America Headquarters shows an innovative and visually appealing interior design. The use of curved glass, lighting and details in the ceiling exemplify how various elements work harmoniously together. The varied use of materials created a warm and energetic space. The design also showed its innovation to a rapidly changing hybrid work environment through its use of mobility hubs. The project stayed true to its brand identity while connecting the whole space together. This project was the strongest submission the jury reviewed, and all jurors noted the aesthetically pleasing design elements that were also highly functional to the changing commercial work environment.
2025 Merit Award
ARCHITECT: Lessard Design
OWNER: The Wolff Company
CATEGORY: Adaptive Re-use/ Repurposing
YEAR COMPLETED: 2025
PHOTOGRAPHER: Dan O’Connor
SUPERVISOR DISTRICT: Mason
DESIGN AWARD JURY COMMENTS: The Three Collective Project is an excellent example of a transition from commercial to residential space. The interior spaces are visually appealing and show great use of textures and patterns. The jury was pleased to see such a thoughtful transformation. The jury would have loved to see some before and after photographs to further highlight the significant transformation that took place in the interior spaces. The interior improvements create a fun and exciting narrative and show that commercial spaces cannot only be renovated into residential spaces but transformed into a fun and exciting residential space that is in demand in the community.
ARCHITECT: Peabody | Fine Architects, PC
OWNER: Susan Stillman
CATEGORY: Residential
YEAR COMPLETED: 2024
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kate Wichlinski
SUPERVISOR DISTRICT: Hunter Mill
DESIGN AWARD JURY COMMENTS: The Vienna Zero Energy 2024 project shows not only a superior commitment to sustainability but truly creates a net zero residence. The space is open, urban and comfortable. There is clear effort to integrate sustainability into the design of the residence in a way that highlights sustainability but also incorporates the design into the neighborhood. The sustainability being incorporated into the architecture was not merely an attempt to check boxes but felt like a natural, wholistic design that is functional without compromising on the aesthetic appeal of the design.
2025 Honorable Mention
ARCHITECT: Cook Architecture
OWNER: Private Residence
CATEGORY: Residential
YEAR COMPLETED: 2023
PHOTOGRAPHER: John Cole Photography
SUPERVISOR DISTRICT: Mason
DESIGN AWARD JURY COMMENTS: The Twin Modern House project is a refreshing presentation of modern homes at a modest scale. This modern design respects the scale of the previous footprint. The screening wall in the architecture adds an interesting design element that provides texture and a visual attraction while also being functional. The house also fits the character of the neighborhood respecting the character of homes, churches and other properties nearby. The exterior has a warm feel, and the jury enjoyed the hardscapes and the landscaping on the site. The small-scale details of the design are intentional and serve a purpose to the overall project that make the sum of the parts an interesting design that provides a modern improvement that shows not all award-winning projects have to be large in scale.