AC HOTEL
By Marriott
Practice Area
Hospitality
Location
Washington, DC.
Completed
2020
Role:
Staff Architect / Design Architect
Awards:
AIA Virginia Design Awards, Award of Merit
AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards, Award of Excellence, Commercial Architecture
LIV Hospitality Design Awards, Honorable Mention, Hotel - Midscale & Lifestyle
AIA I DC Chapter Design Award, Architecture
NAIOP DCIMD Award of Excellence, Best Hospitality Project
I worked as a Staff Architect and Design Architect under the guidance of a Senior Designer, contributing to the AC Hotel from early concept through early construction documentation. I helped develop the site‑responsive massing and refine the building’s contemporary architectural expression, including the shingled curtain wall system and transparent street‑level façade.
The AC Hotel is a 219‑key luxury hotel situated within the Golden Triangle Business District near Dupont Circle, designed to maximize a narrow rectangular site through a C‑shaped massing and an efficient closed‑court configuration. The fourteen‑story, 106,000‑square‑foot building features a distinctive shingled curtain wall system that gives the tower a refined, contemporary identity while maintaining a cohesive architectural rhythm. At the ground level, an open‑plan lobby framed by full‑height glass storefronts and outdoor seating creates a transparent, active edge that strengthens the hotel’s connection to the surrounding urban fabric. The project incorporates a series of sustainable strategies—including stormwater capture, bioretention planters, water‑use reduction, and energy‑efficient systems—to reduce environmental impact and improve long‑term performance. These efforts, combined with the use of recycled and regionally sourced materials, supported the project in achieving LEED Silver certification, reinforcing its commitment to responsible, high‑performance design.
