2025 East Best Projects
Award of Merit, Residential/Hospitality, Excellence in Safety: 34Fifty Apartments
34Fifty Apartments
Washington D.C.
EXCELLENCE IN SAFETY and Award of Merit, Residential/Hospitality
Submitted by MCN Build
Owner: 3450 Eads St LLC / Enterprise
Lead Design Firm: Torti Gallas
General Contractor: MCN Build
Civil Engineer: Wiles Mensch
Structural Engineer: SK&A
MEP Engineer: Henry Adams
Sustainability: Jay Hall and Associates
Subcontractors: Alcoa Concrete & Masonry; Ayala Electric; Boldmark Steel Industry; Dynamic Contracting Inc.; JBA Inc.; JPN Masonry; LP Roofing; Metropolitan Engineering; MET Painters; United Builders Corp.
The first-of-its-kind public-private partnership delivers nearly 50 quality, all-affordable homes to an underserved area. Sustainability underscores the project’s design, with green roofs that reduce stormwater runoff and improve insulation. Rooftop solar panels generate more than half of the building’s energy, while geothermal wells, heat pump water heaters and high-efficiency mechanical systems drastically cut energy consumption.
A tight building envelope with triple-pane windows and advanced insulation further reduces utility costs while improving indoor air quality and comfort. The wood-frame building’s two-tone brick facade, bay windows, decorative cornices and entrance canopies create a welcoming and community-oriented streetscape. When adapting traditional concrete podium and wood framing designs, the team integrated thermal breaks to accommodate concrete slabs and columns. Steel supports and connections were redesigned to ensure continuous insulation around the building perimeter, reduce heat loss, mitigate potential mold risks and maintain fire ratings.
Photo by Judy Davis Photography, courtesy of MCN Build
Recognizing the heightened fire risk associated with wood-frame buildings, the team provided fire safety awareness and response training for all workers. Though not standard practice for subcontractors, the training built confidence, reinforced fire prevention protocols and prepared workers to respond quickly in emergencies.
To further strengthen fire readiness, the local fire department was invited to conduct a site walkthrough and provide recommendations. Their input led to posted emergency evacuation maps and ensured that first responders were familiar with the layout had an emergency occurred.
To safeguard masonry workers from existing overhead power lines, the team coordinated with the local utility to de-energize the lines for the duration of construction. With this precaution in place, brickwork proceeded efficiently and safely. An unannounced OSHA inspection found no violations or issues, further demonstrating the team’s commitment to safety and regulatory compliance—a fitting testament to a safety program that recorded 180,000 work hours with no injuries or reportable incidents.
