The Design That Got Everyone's Attention in 2021
✉️ Want to forward this article? Click here.
While the DC area continues to transition to a new pandemic-era status quo, the time has come once again for UrbanTurf to reflect on the state of real estate over the past year.
This week, we refresh our collective memory with a 2021 Year-in-Review series.
![](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2021/12/hq2-1200.jpg)
The most anticipated and highly-debated architectural design that debuted in the region in 2021 was that of Amazon's new Northern Virginia headquarters.
The design, from architecture firm NBBJ, features a corkscrew-shaped, 370,000 square-foot office amenity building ("The Helix") that tops off at 355 feet, a clear departure from the typical style of building commonly constructed in the DC area.
Toward the beginning of the public review process, Pentagon City residents described the design of the Helix using adjectives such as "creative", "wonderful", "interesting", and "powerful".
story continues below
loading...story continues above
![](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2021/12/hq2-pav3-2sw1200.jpg)
Many stakeholders, residents, and planners in Arlington took exception to how boring the other three towers at the new headquarters were by comparison, compelling a recent tweak to add architectural emphasis by way of mounted solar arrays atop those buildings. In the meantime, however, many architectural critics turned their eye toward the proposal's design and offered varying opinions on its implications and impositions.
Local opinion has moved on to scrutinizing the amount, configuration, and accessibility of the two acres of open space throughout the site and the landscaping adorning the buildings, as designed by landscape architect SCAPE Studio. Details about building materials have also surfaced, highlighting how each building is meant to evoke the reflection of light on water using bird-safe glass and metal screening and panels in various hues.
As the design review process continues into 2022, we look forward to seeing how the design evolves, but with at least one key approval already in the bag, it seems reasonable to expect to see the Helix adorning the skyline five years from now.
See other articles related to: year in review 2021
This article originally published at https://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/the-design-that-got-everyones-attention-in-2021/19063.
Most Popular... This Week • Last 30 Days • Ever
![Buying with Friends: What You Should Know](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2010/05/home_value.jpg)
Here are some precautions to take before buying real estate with a buddy.... read »
![$10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/VAFX2180246_45_0_image_560x420.jpg)
The six-bedroom home listed for just south of $10 million back in June went under con... read »
![16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/2500-wilson-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The new project will take the place of an obsolete office building in Courthouse.... read »
![Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/1625-mass-1_image_560x420.jpg)
The three office-to-residential conversion projects have been conditionally awarded t... read »
![500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths](https://assets.urbanturf.com/dc/images/blog/2024/09/resized/parcel-6-park_image_560x420.jpg)
The plans for one of the final parcels at DC's St. Elizabeth's East campus are beginn... read »
- Buying with Friends: What You Should Know
- $10 Million McLean Home Of Former Nationals Star Stephen Strasburg Finds a Buyer
- 16-Story, 325-Unit Building Pitched For Arlington's Wilson Boulevard
- Mayor Bowser Announces First Office-To-Residential Projects To Receive Tax Abatements
- 500 Apartments, Live/Work Units And A Park: The New Plans Coming To St. Elizabeths
DC Real Estate Guides
Short guides to navigating the DC-area real estate market
We've collected all our helpful guides for buying, selling and renting in and around Washington, DC in one place. Start browsing below!
First-Timer Primers
Intro guides for first-time home buyers
Unique Spaces
Awesome and unusual real estate from across the DC Metro