SK&A is delighted to share that three of our projects were recognized at this year’s AIA Potomac Valley Excellence in Design Awards, celebrating architectural innovation and design excellence across the region.
Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center received both the PV Award (Best in Show) and an Honor Award in the Institutional Architecture category. Two additional SK&A projects, Atworth and Union on Knox, each earned Merit Awards in the Multi-Family Architecture category.
These achievements highlight our firm’s ongoing collaboration with exceptional design teams to bring forward-thinking, community-centered projects to life.
PV Award + Honor Award — Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center
Architect: DLR Group | Owner: DC Department of General Services | Contractor: Smoot Construction Company
Replacing an aging 1970s facility, the Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center in Washington, DC provides a welcoming, fully accessible environment for individuals of all ages and abilities. The single-story, 36,800-SF structure integrates biophilic design and universal accessibility, using natural materials, warm daylight, and sweeping views of adjacent parklands to promote healing and connection.
Major program areas include a warm-water natatorium, gymnasium, wellness studio, senior and caregiver rooms, and sensory and community gardens. Every public space offers visual or physical access to nature, reinforcing the center’s therapeutic mission. Sustainable strategies such as low-flow fixtures, bio-retention stormwater features, and energy-efficient systems support the project’s pursuit of LEED Silver certification.
Merit Award — Atworth
Architect: WDG | Owner: Gilbane Development Company | Contractor: CBG Building Company
Located adjacent to the College Park Metro and future Purple Line, Atworth exemplifies transit-oriented multifamily design. The 100% affordable residential development offers high-quality living while reducing car dependence and enhancing access to jobs and education.
The project emphasizes social and environmental sustainability, achieving Two Green Globes certification with energy use reduced by 18% and water consumption by 40%. Active ground-level amenities, landscaped courtyards, and rooftop gardens create a healthy, connected environment where residents can thrive.
Through its design and mission, Atworth sets a new benchmark for sustainable housing that enriches both its residents and the surrounding College Park community.
Merit Award — Union on Knox
Architect: WDG | Owner: Greystar | Contractor: John Moriarty & Associates
Also in College Park, Union on Knox bridges the University of Maryland campus with downtown through a vibrant, mixed-use student housing development. The 359,000-SF project features 340 apartments, 24,000 SF of retail, and 331 parking spaces organized around Sterling Place, a new pedestrian retail corridor lined with active storefronts and linked by a glass bridge.
Achieving LEED Gold certification, Union on Knox integrates sustainable materials, a green roof system, and energy-efficient design measures that surpass ASHRAE standards. Its contemporary architectural expression and street-level activation strengthen community connections while fostering student engagement and walkability.
The result is a dynamic new landmark for College Park—one that redefines the relationship between campus, commerce, and community.
About the Awards
The AIA Potomac Valley Excellence in Design Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in architecture and recognize projects that embody AIA’s Framework for Design Excellence. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners for advancing design that enriches our communities and elevates the built environment. Learn more: https://aiapv.org/2025_Excellence_in_Design_Awards_Winners_List
