Anna Cooper

Washington, DC

So Others Might Eat (SOME) owns and operates the Anna Cooper House, an existing rooming house in Northwest, Washington DC. Miner Feinstein’s design includes the complete reconfiguration of all interior spaces to make the building work better for the needs of the residents as well as for SOME.

The general configuration of spaces are completely altered with newly configured rooming house units as well as a newly defined common area. This is made possible because behind the skin of the building, a new structural system is provided. Every three rooming house units share one of the bathrooms, allowing for an efficient use of interior space. Barrier-free accessibility is provided to all common areas and dwelling units throughout.

The exterior footprint and envelope remain, although new windows, masonry repointing and new trim are added. Additional renovations allow for a larger elevator, reconfigured plaza space, and sustainability upgrades to comply with the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria.