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Reuse the Fallen Church

The team at MW Architects took time to design and submit a competition for the Reuse the Fallen Church in the Italian City of Chiesa Diruta, Grottole.
A synopsis of the design:

The fallen church currently serves as a stark symbol of the village of Grottole’s decline. In our design concept,
the process of Grottole’s gradual transformation into a modern cultural center is embodied within the form of
the concert hall itself.
To represent this transformation, we took inspiration from metamorphosis, the natural process through which
a lifeform undergoes a dramatic physical change to its form and structure. Just as a butterfly emerges from its
chrysalis and takes flight, the new concert hall structure of metal frames and glass inspired by the shape of a
butterfly’s wings– emerges from the original crumbling stone architecture of the church and reaches towards
the sky. Thus, as the visitor ascends to the top of the concert hall, the proportion of new structure to old gradually
increases, reaching a peak at the fourth floor, inside the auditorium itself.
In nature, even after the butterfly has come out it must wait for its wings to fully expand and harden before it
can take fl ight for the first time. The gently curved frames at the rear of the building represent the moments
immediately after emergence before the wings are ready. In contrast, the larger frames directly above the auditorium
represent the culmination of the process
“Just as the future performances and presentations within the auditorium will complete the ambition to reuse
the fallen church and ultimately revitalize Grottole, the wings above the auditorium taking fl ight represent the
vindication of the caterpillar’s eff orts and the successful completion of metamorphosis.

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MW Architects Helping Nurses and Doctors in need of PPE

MW Architects has brought in two 3d printers named (Rosie and Kilroy) to eventual build 3d models of projects we are developing but due to the demand for the need of medical face shields MW Architects has elected to 3d print shields for several medical locations. We are proud to have provided 10 face shields to Loudoun Inova Hospital and will be looking to provide more during the Covid 19 pandemic. Stay healthy everyone!

BLK Building Scanner

The BLK building scanner in action providing accurate and recordable scans of the existing structure and damaged structures.   Integrating Point Cloud scans with Revit architectural design will look to provide accurate and coordinated drawings for construction.

Building under Construction

Conversion of existing masonry structure into a seven-unit condo building.  We are working with several consultants and currently working with the contractor in the construction administration phase. Various unforeseen conditions have provided challenges to where we worked with the building owner and contractor to ensure the job progresses towards the finish line.

Case Study: Green Lizard Cycling

Overview

MW Architects provided architectural design services for the tenant fit-out of this cycling shop, which was fitted out with a coffee bar, and a bike training and maintenance area.

Project Information

Green Lizard Cycling sought to occupy the Nachman building; a historic property constructed in the 1850s in downtown Herndon, Virginia. The space offered a unique challenge due to the need for retrofitting in order to accommodate modern code requirements. MW Architects worked with the client to incorporate a health department approval for food services, assembly of cycle training, showers, a lounge area, and upgraded restrooms, while still fulfilling the requirement to keep the existing interior tin ceiling and heart pine flooring in order to maintain the character of the space.

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Project Details

Client: Green Lizard Cycling & Velo Labs.
Type: Tenant Fit-out.
Mission Statement: Architecture with a scaled & constructive approach.

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