As expectations for residential living continue to evolve, multi-family housing is no longer just about providing shelter; it’s about creating environments that actively support residents’ health, comfort, and well-being. At Penney Design Group, we approach multi-family design through this broader lens, integrating strategies aligned with the International WELL Building Institute’s WELL Building Standard to enhance the everyday experience of the people who live, work, and gather in these spaces.

While not every project pursues formal WELL certification, many of its core principles are deeply embedded in our design process. From material selection to amenity programming, our goal is to create communities that feel as good as they look.

What is WELL Design?

The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system focused on human health and wellness within the built environment. It emphasizes key categories such as air, water, nourishment, light, movement, thermal comfort, sound, materials, mind, and community.

In multi-family housing, these principles translate into thoughtful decisions that support both physical and mental well-being, from improved indoor air quality to spaces that foster connection and relaxation.

Designing for Healthier Living Environments

Air, Materials, and Indoor Quality

A foundational aspect of WELL design is ensuring that interior environments promote clean, healthy air. In our multi-family projects, this often includes:

• Selecting low-VOC paints, adhesives, and finishes
• Prioritizing durable, non-toxic materials
• Designing layouts that support proper ventilation and airflow

Projects like Tapestry Annapolis and The Sheffield at Englewood South reflect this approach through carefully curated finish palettes that balance aesthetics with environmental responsibility.

Light, Comfort, and Sensory Experience

Access to natural light and a comfortable indoor environment plays a significant role in resident well-being. We incorporate:

• Maximized daylighting in common areas and units
• Layered lighting strategies to support different uses and times of day
• Thoughtful acoustic considerations to reduce noise and enhance privacy

At The Mark and Vivian Apartment Building, amenity spaces are designed to feel bright, open, and calming, encouraging residents to spend time outside of their units in shared environments.

 

Movement and Active Living

Encouraging movement is another key pillar of WELL. In multi-family settings, this goes beyond fitness centers to include:

• Inviting stair design and circulation paths
• Walkable site planning and connections to outdoor spaces
• Amenity programming that promotes active lifestyles

Community-focused projects such as Potomac Green Clubhouse and Spring Hill Community Center emphasize movement through flexible, activity-driven spaces that support both structured and informal use.

Community and Social Connection

A strong sense of community is essential to overall well-being. Our designs prioritize:

• Welcoming, multi-functional gathering spaces
• Indoor-outdoor connections that bring residents together
• Flexible layouts that accommodate events, co-working, and social interaction

At projects like Pinnacle at Waypointe and Norwalk Retail, mixed-use environments create opportunities for connection not just within residential buildings, but across the broader neighborhood.

Mental Wellness and Sense of Place

Beyond physical health, WELL design also addresses emotional and psychological well-being. This is reflected in:

• Calming, cohesive material palettes
• Biophilic elements and connections to nature
• Spaces that feel intuitive, comfortable, and human-scaled

From leasing environments like Foxchase Leasing Center to residential communities such as Burke Shire Commons, Bent Tree, Shenandoah Crossing, and Windsor Park, our work focuses on creating spaces that feel grounded, welcoming, and restorative.

A Holistic Approach to Multi-Family Design

At Penney Design Group, integrating WELL principles is not about checking boxes; it’s about designing with intention. Whether it’s a clubhouse, leasing center, mixed-use development, or full residential community, we aim to elevate the resident experience through thoughtful, human-centered design.

Projects like Parc Reston Community Center and Sagebrush Treatment Center further demonstrate how these strategies can be adapted across a range of program types, reinforcing our commitment to wellness-driven environments.

Looking Ahead

As the industry continues to shift toward health-conscious design, WELL principles will play an increasingly important role in shaping multi-family housing. At PDG, we are excited to continue evolving our approach; creating spaces that not only meet the needs of today’s residents but also support their well-being for years to come.

 

 

 

Meet The Whitley: New Luxury Residences in Old Town North

Penney Design Group is thrilled to unveil The Whitley, a new landmark in the heart of Alexandria’s vibrant Old Town North neighborhood. This sophisticated, boutique-style building at 805 N Columbus Street brings 78 elegantly designed condominium residences, 8 of which will be affordable for 100% AMI residents, ranging from studios to three-bedroom homes with terraces, to one of the region’s most sought-after addresses. Developed by PT Blooms with Eichberg Construction as the general contractor, The Whitley is set to deliver in Fall 2025.

Design Vision at Penney Design Group

Our vision for The Whitley began with a clear goal: to bring to Old Town North a distinctively contemporary design which blends a carefully considered modern aesthetic with the character and details of Alexandria’s built heritage; a building which seamlessly fits within the neighborhood yet distinguishes itself by setting a new standard in the area for progressive, forward-looking, high-quality development.

As seen from the corner of North Columbus & Madison streets, The Whitley’s primary massing matched the scale, materiality, and fenestration of the adjacent rowhouses. At the same time, its upper-level setbacks and façade articulations are differentiated using more contemporary materials and treatments. Project-wide, we employed a 12” long brick as a contemporary counterpoint to the 8” standard brick used in traditional rowhouses.

Communal amenities in the project include outdoor terraces on the 5th and 6th floors with defined seating and gathering areas, gas grills, landscaping and city views; a resident lounge with kitchen/bar and fireplace; boutique fitness center; 1st floor courtyard space; bike storage; EV charging; pet-wash; and package room with cold storage for grocery deliveries.

In the residences, the interiors were optimized with open-plan layouts and high ceilings, and accessorized with wide plank white oak flooring, custom micro-shaker cabinetry, quartz countertops, solid-core doors, roller shades, and carefully designed storage solutions.

21st-Century Sustainability

The owners’ mandate to create a one-off residential destination of refined living and contemporary convenience is supplemented by their commitment to the earmarks of 21st-century sustainability: community, wellness, accessibility, and economy of means.

Sustainability today is a broad concept encompassing various environmental, social, and economic components meant to foster better conditions for present and future generations. The Whitley promotes these concepts through the following:

Community

Community begins at The Whitley with a more economically diverse population. Affordable housing units are offered alongside market-rate units. This more comprehensive demographic comes together in The Whitley’s various communal spaces: the resident lounge, the boutique fitness center, the outdoor terraces and courtyards on varying levels, social spaces which promote and foster a sense of belonging and social support.

Wellness

Along with community, individual well-being is nurtured at The Whitley through the thoughtful management of the building’s various environmental features. From the ground level to the rooftop, The Whitley is ecologically engineered to integrate the project’s stormwater management requirements with the climate/health/aesthetic benefits of its greenscape. A green roof, terrace planters, Bio-retention ponds in various locations, and extensive planting throughout the project capture and recycle rainwater, reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality and enhance biodiversity.

Accessibility

The Whitley’s prime location, a short walk to the historic core of Old Town Alexandria, the Potomac waterfront, and an abundance of cafes, restaurants, and shopping options, offers a pedestrian-friendly urbanism with Alexandria being a model for a unique, ideal urban environment with a small town feel. Just blocks away, the Braddock Metro stop provides connections to Washington, DC and its array of civic, cultural, and business amenities. Recreationally, there are bike and running trails with easy access to DC, Mt. Vernon, and beyond.

Economy of Means

At The Whitley, economy of means is expressed through the thoughtful integration of form, function, and finish—where each design decision serves multiple purposes, and where restraint becomes a tool for elegance. Rather than relying on an abundance of materials or ornate gestures, the building achieves impact through the careful calibration of its elements: a reduced material palette, refined detailing, and efficient spatial planning.

Every brick course, window alignment, and recessed volume was designed to balance aesthetic presence with cost-conscious execution. For example, the use of a singular, elongated 12” brick delivers both a modern identity and an efficient installation process, offering a contemporary rhythm that ties back to local traditions while reducing complexity.

Inside, open-plan layouts maximize livable area and flexibility within a compact footprint, allowing for generous spatial experiences without excess. Shared amenity spaces are consolidated across levels to encourage vertical circulation and offer layered communal experiences without requiring oversized common areas.

Owner/Architect/Contractor Collaboration

The project’s success is a result of thoughtful collaboration among the Owner, Architect, and Contractor. Along with our specialized team of consulting engineers, this collaboration guided the project on a clear and deliberate path through the stringent review processes of the Community and the City of Alexandria’s review board. It continued throughout the project’s various design development, construction documents, and construction administration phases.

What’s Next

Sales milestones: Over 35% of residences sold within weeks of sales launch, with pricing ranging from the $500,000s to $1.9 million.

Construction timeline: On track for Fall 2025 delivery, slated for move-ins in early 2026.

Follow along: Stay tuned for updates on interior finishes, landscape activation, and official opening announcements.

In Closing

The Whitley reflects Penney Design Group’s commitment to delivering thoughtful, sustainable design, meaningful community connections, and impeccable execution—from programming to ribbon cutting. We’re honored to be part of this well-curated collection of homes in Old Town North—welcome home.