Architectural Narrative

Located along the banks of the Potomac River, the Robinson Terminal North development rests on a prominent post-industrial site in Old Town Alexandria. Centrally located between the Old Town North and Old Town South neighborhoods, the mixed-use, multi-parcel project focuses on achieving harmony with the scale and history of the surrounding context while activating the waterfront park and streetscape to create a vibrant environment for the local community.

The Robinson Terminal North project encompasses two mixed-use multifamily buildings configured to capture panoramic views of the Potomac River and the nation’s capital on the near horizon. While the taller “West” building defines the streetscape along North Union Street parallel to the river, the “East” building is split into two massings connected by a central one-story lobby and community space. This split strategically carves out a view corridor for the West building while maximizing light for all the residential dwellings.

A circular food and beverage eatery is nestled into the landscaped waterfront park, which will anchor the development and serve as an extension of Founders Park located to the south of the site, between the new buildings and the Potomac River. An iconic brewery/café is to be tucked into the west building’s corner to activate the north end of the streetscape that is adjacent to Oronoco Bay Park.

Visual Narrative

This series presents a study of light, material expression, and composition. Each image is meant to capture the building’s overall impression, using lighting, materials, and tone to convey qualities that extend beyond function or program. The compositions vary in scale and intent. Some establish the overall setting and explore the relationship to the surroundings, while others focus more closely on architectural details, material junctions, or moments of light within a space.