Wiles Mensch Corporation – DC (WM) provided surveying, civil engineering, and landscape architecture services for the development of a five-story, 28-unit affordable housing building designed to accommodate members of the deaf and hearing impaired community.

Surveying services were provided to obtain existing site conditions of the site. Our team of engineers provided design services including utility, erosion and sediment control, site work, grading, and stormwater management. The stormwater management design for this site was challenging due to the required 1.2” of rainfall retention, per DOEE’s standards. WM provided balance and creativity using a green roof and cistern for cooling tower make-up to meet the stormwater management requirements.

Landscape architecture services included the design of a two-level exterior courtyard with hearing impaired users in mind. A curvilinear design scheme emerged providing visual cues, ease of movement and ample opportunity for congregating and community space. The courtyards feature circular gathering spaces, a curved monumental stair as well as various landscape and planting features. Varied paving colors and paving bands reflect the overall architecture and highlight areas of pedestrian gathering and circulation.