Story

Oakwood Meadow brings 150 units of affordable housing for seniors to the Lee District in Alexandria, replacing an underutilized stormwater retention area! Completed in 2023, Oakwood Meadow features amenity spaces and inspire a sense of community for residents aging in place gracefully. Oakwood Senior’s existing site was densely wooded with abundant vegetation and features a stormwater detention pond. To prepare for construction, the wooded area was cleared and graded, and the detention pond will be filled in. Sitework involved the installation of two large underground detention facilities and two design-build site segmental retaining walls. Fill from the site and imported material was used to bring the building pad to grade, and a surface parking lot was constructed. By being smart with our resources, we were able to build retaining walls efficiently. Our team also found clever ways to use compact equipment in tight spots. Our night work on in-road utilities even uncovered a water line that wasn't where it was supposed to be! Despite the challenges, we successfully installed large underground stormwater retention vaults beneath the future parking lot while keeping construction moving smoothly. The team worked closely with other trades to make sure everything came together seamlessly. Additionally, the extensive roof drainage system required some careful coordination with plumbing and roofing contractors. The building itself is designed in an elongated "X" shape, comprising five distinct wings. Retaining walls will be built at the first-floor level in the northwest and northeast wings, with construction of the majority of these wings commencing from the second-floor level. The southeast wing, containing only levels 1 and 2, is separated from the rest of the structure by a 2-hour firewall, while all other wings will be constructed up to level 4. The façade will mainly feature two different brick finishes and Hardie lap siding, with decorative herringbone pattern brick installations at select locations and arched window trim on the top floor. Various canopies, including a large main canopy at the entry, will adorn the building, all with standing metal seam roofs, while the majority of the roof will have asphalt shingles. Framing the pitched roof will be the most challenging aspect of the project due to its unique profile, with rooftop mechanical equipment housed in TPO roofing-equipped "bathtubs" with vinyl siding. Internally, the building will boast numerous amenity spaces, including laundry facilities on each floor, a Multi-Purpose Room, Community Room, Garden Room, Game Room, Arts & Crafts Room, Fitness Center, Library, and Computer Room, in addition to Leasing and Reception suites. The units will feature solid wood cabinets, plastic laminate countertops, modern black appliances, vinyl plank flooring, bedroom carpets, and tile flooring in bathrooms and tub/shower surrounds.