Wa Restaurant | WDG: Architecture, Planning, Interiors

1200 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD	Home Properties	Completed 2011	Interior architecture and design for a 247 unit, 14-story residential high-rise building.
1331 Maryland Washington, DC	Republic Properties	Completed 2020	14-story, 485,712-sf residential building with 292 apartments, 76 condominiums, and 12,400-sf of amenity space. 156,000-sf parking for 387 vehicles in 2 levels below-grade.
1900 Gallows Road Tysons, VA	Foulger-Pratt	Completed 2022	Interior and exterior renovation of an 8-story office building. 31,700-sf interior renovation includes a 2,860-sf lobby, upper floor corridors, and new lower-level amenities including a top-of-the-line fitness center, 1,600 sf of conference space, and 3,500 sf of adjacent lounge space.
2100 L Street NW Washington, DC	Akridge, Corporate Office Properties Trust, Argos Group	Completed 2020	10-story, 190,000-sf Class A office building with 8,000-sf of ground floor retail and three levels of below grade parking and basement space totaling +/- 63,300gsf and 131 spaces. Amenities include a rooftop terrace and lounge, a 3,000-sf fitness center, and a penthouse conference center.
2101 L Street Washington, DC	Vornado	Completed September 2007	350,000-sf, 10-story, class A office building with 25,000-sf retail and 3-levels below-grade parking.
300 M Street NE Washington, DC	Wilkes Company	In Construction	442,759-sf, 11-story, 426-unit apartment building over 100,700-sf of below-grade parking. Amenities include a clubroom, leasing and fitness center off the lobby at the first level, pool and sun deck at the roof, plus 10,000-sf of retail.
460 New York Avenue Washington, DC	Bozzuto	Completed 2015	Interior design of an 11-story, 62,000-sf, 63-unit residential condominium building with 36 parking spaces on one level at grade.
7811 Montrose Road Potomac, MD	Willco	Completed 2016	Renovation of a 2,000-sf lobby and main entrance canopy in a 5-story office building. Scope includes landscape, new light fixtures, furniture, and upgraded finishes.
American Hospital Association (AHA) Washington, DC	American Hospital Association	Completed 2014	Interior architecture and design for 2-story, 43,000-sf corporate office.
Army Test and Evaluation Command Headquarters Interiors Aberdeen, MD	US Army Corps of Engineers \| Photos © Maxwell MacKenzie	Completed 2011	142,000-sf of administrative, meeting and training space on 3 levels, designed to support 610 personnel.
Camden South Capitol Washington, DC	Camden Living \| Photos © Maxwell MacKenzie \| Photos Paul Burk	Completed May 2013	11-story residential building with 276 units, 2,954-sf of retail and parking for 262 vehicles.
DC DMPED Annex Office Washington, DC	DTZ	In Progress	Interior architecture, design and strategic planning services for a 9,000 RSF office space.
Department of Transportation (DoT) Washington, DC	GSA		900,000-sf interior architecture pocket renovations throughout facility. Scope includes interior architecture, strategic and space planning, and construction document services.
Georgian Towers Silver Spring, MD	Stellar Management		Interiors Renovation to 16-story apartment building for the units, common areas including fitness facility and roof-top pool.
GSA Undisclosed Tenant Washington, DC	Republic Properties Corporation, and GSA Undisclosed Tenant	Completed 2012	Full interior architecture and design services for a full floor, 55,000-sf tenant fit-out.
Haden Tysons, VA	JLB Partners, LP	June 2016	14-story and 6-story (wood frame type 3A) multifamily buildings with 425 residential units in approximately 428,871-sf. Three levels of below grade parking accommodate 595 parking spaces. Targeting LEED Silver.
HHMI Janelia Research Campus Apartments Ashburn, VA	Howard Hughes Medical Institute \| Photos © Maxwell MacKenzie	Phase I Completed 2011, Phase II Completed 2015, Phase III Completed 2020	Phase I: 81,852-sf, 4 stories, 60 units; Phase II: 94,787-sf, 5 stories, 86 units; Phase III: 144,061-sf, 6 stories, 101 units.
Japan Information and Culture Center Washington, DC	Japanese Embassy of the United States	Completed 2011	Design of 7,500-sf cultural center and auditorium.
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Rockville, MD	Jewish Federation of Greater Washington		Interior renovation of 40,000-sf, 3- story office, including community, conference and café spaces.
Jordan's 8 Restaurant Washington, DC	Jordan Cappolla		Interior design and facade for new 2-level, 4,000-sf restaurant.
McWilliams Ballard Alexandria, VA	McWilliams Ballard		Design of 5,000-sf new administrative offices.
National Cable Communications Washington, DC	NCC		Interior Architecture and Interior Design services for the 10,500-sf regional office and government relations office.
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) at 1015 Half Street Washington, DC	Opus East / Skanska	Completed	Interior architecture for 150,000-rsf of contiguous office space on floors 3-6.
National Science Foundation Headquarters Alexandria, VA	USAA Real Estate, Lowe Enterprises \| Photos © Maxwell MacKenzie	Completed 2017	56-acre urban plan, two 14-19 story towers totaling 690,000-sf of rentable office space, 30,000-sf of retail, and three levels of below grade parking for 380 vehicles.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Washington, DC	GSA	Completed 2011	Reorganization of 161,500-sf headquarters office, including workspaces, laboratories and conference center.
OFS Brands Showroom Washington, DC	OFS Brands	Completed 2009	6,000-sf furniture showroom.
Park Potomac Potomac, MD	Foulger-Pratt Companies	Completed	6-story, 131,000-sf office building with 25,000-sf of ground floor retail space. Part of a large mixed-use development consisting of over 500,00-sf of office space, 132,000-sf of retail space and a 156-key hotel.
Six11 Ann Arbor, MI	Campus Apartments	Completed 2018	13 stories, 185,300 SF, 343 bed mixed-use student housing. Includes amenity spaces, ground floor retail, bike storage, and 2.5 levels of structured parking for 54 vehicles.
Suzuki New York, NY	Suzuki	Completed 2017	6,700-sf restaurant with seating capacity for 80, including main and private dining rooms, sushi bar and private bar.
Thayer & Spring Silver Spring, MD	Fairfield Residential	Completed 2020	11-story mixed-use development with 394 apartments, 2,570-sf fitness center, 9,880-sf retail space, and 16,000-sf public plaza.
The Ascent Tysons, VA	Greystar	Completed 2014	416,834-sf, 26-story, 404-unit apartment building with 508 parking spaces on 9 levels of above and below grade structured parking.
The Bower Washington, DC	PN Hoffman	Completed 2019	Full interior design services for a 144,000-sf, 11-story condominium building with 142 units and penthouse lounge. Two levels of below-grade parking.
The Flats at Dupont Circle Washington, DC	Archstone Smith	Completed 2005	Conversion of existing hotel into apartment building. 306 units with 2 below-grade parking levels, and redesign of swimming pool, plaza, public spaces, and amenities.
The James at Riverhouse Arlington, VA	Vornado/Charles E. Smith	Completed 2011	Expansion of fitness center into 2500 sf with equipment, locker room facilities and sauna.
The Latrobe Apartments Washington, DC	AIMCO	Completed 2018	Renovation of a 175-unit, high-rise residential building and model unit.
The Premier Silver Spring, MD	Guardian Realty Investors \| Photos © Maxwell MacKenzie	Completed December 2013	150,000-sf, 14-story, 160-unit, apartment building over 6 levels of above and below grade parking and 2,500-sf retail.
The Rotonda Condominiums Renovation McLean, VA	Rotonda Unit Owners Association	Design Completed 2016	Full design services for major renovation of 25,000-sf clubhouse building, including all common/public areas, support services and fitness center.
The Upton Short Hills, NJ	Roseland Residential Trust - A Mack-Cali Company	Completed 2021	Interior architecture and design services for a 5-story, 215 unit residential apartment building.
The Witmer Arlington, VA	KIMCO	Completed 2019	446,400-sf, 25-story, 440-unit residential tower with 6-story parking garage and 11,400-sf of retail.
Tompkins Builder Headquarters Washington, DC	Tompkins Builders	Completed 2009	Interior Design for a 25,000-sf office space.
VIO/Incanto (The Wharf Parcel 4) Washington, DC	PN Hoffman / Madison Marquette / Clark Construction	Completed 2018	Full interior design services for 12-story, 372,000-gsf luxury residential building with 150 rental units and 112 condominiums. Scope includes design of lobbies, public areas, corridors, and model units.
Virginia Square Arlington, VA	Equity Residential	Completed 2017	Renovation that includes a new lobby, fitness center, leasing office, and penthouse amenities.
Wa Restaurant Orlando, FL	Wa Restaurant	Completed 2009	Design of a 3,200-sf Asian-fusion concept restaurant.
Water Park Towers Arlington, VA	Archstone	Completed July 2017	Renovation that includes a new lobby, fitness center, yoga room, café, and new residential corridors.
Zohra Salon Potomac, MD	Zohra		Design of a high-end 3,200-sf salon-spa.

Wa Restaurant

Orlando, FL

CLIENT
Wa Restaurant

STATUS
Completed 2009

SERVICES
Interiors

PROJECT DETAILS

PROJECT SHEET

FOLIO

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Program

Design of a 3,200-sf Asian-fusion concept restaurant.

Description

This restaurant in Orlando, Florida has proven to be unlike any other concept that Orlando has been exposed to over the course of its development. Completed in September 2009, the fusion of Japanese and French cuisine is complimented by a serene and open interior design, integrating all aspects of Wa Restaurant.

There is little separation between the dining areas, sake bar, lounge, and sushi bar, allowing for a seamless flow of aesthetics and energy. Inspired by the established design style of the Asian regions, the space is expressive, without being ostentatious; there is a soft spoken expression that creates an emphasis on the space itself. The darkened hues and carefully controlled lighting of the space create a temperament that evokes a solitude and serenity in this open, flowing space.

The entrance to the space features a dark stone clad wall with an elongated light box and simple signage. Patrons are greeted by the Maitre d’, who resides behind a custom marble reception desk. The wall wraps into the lounge with its rock-covered, sparsely lit trench, which project bursts of light onto the textured wall. The rich lacquer coated wall panels in the lounge and a faux plastered wall finish in the dining area complement the rust colored metallic floors.

Further layering and textures are exposed through the contemporary plush fabrics and rigid undulating details at the banquettes and at both bars. Even the restrooms embody the serene feeling of the restaurant, with silver embossed black tiles and unique granite slab counter tops that carry the graining of a wood flitch.

The successful integration of this cuisine concept and design has helped Wa Restaurant capture, in the Orlando area, a refined and progressive audience that has sought to find such a setting and outlet.