Kensington at Bethesda

Kensington of Bethesda occupies a redevelopment site in downtown Bethesda, a high-density commercial district. The 120-bed memory care and assisted living facility addresses the demands of high-acuity care within an urban context.

The building's "Parisian Townhome" exterior—characterized by bay windows, decorative masonry, and articulated facades—responds to the commercial streetscape along River Road while meeting local design review requirements. This approach, developed through coordination with Montgomery County planners, resolved zoning constraints and secured community support for the project. The interior environment prioritizes residential character over clinical appearance. Millwork, lighting, and finishes create spaces that function as living areas rather than institutional corridors.

Light and Environmental Control

Expansive windows throughout the building admit natural light, supporting residents' circadian rhythms. The facility includes operable windows—an uncommon feature in I-2 occupancy buildings—which allow residents to control ventilation and air quality in their rooms. Corner units at River Road feature 270-degree window exposure, providing northern light and views across the surrounding neighborhood.

Structural Design and Life Safety

Post-tension concrete construction provides 25 percent greater structural capacity than standard building code requirements. This enhanced strength supports a "defend in place" life safety strategy for wind and seismic events, eliminating the need for resident evacuation during emergencies. The structural system also enabled an alternative fire code solution that maintained the architectural design while exceeding safety standards.

A full-capacity gas generator powers the entire facility during electrical outages, maintaining climate control, medical equipment, and security systems without interruption.

Site Constraints and Solutions

The project site—a narrow parcel bounded by the realigned Westbard Avenue and future parkland along Willett Branch creek—presented significant access and construction challenges. The design team maximized building program while incorporating five exterior patios that provide outdoor space and connection to the adjacent creek corridor.

Construction logistics required specialized solutions. A custom-engineered loading gate system with rapid-opening capability accommodates service vehicles on the constrained site. Blindside construction techniques addressed the lower perimeter wall installation on steep slopes with limited access from neighboring properties.

Energy Performance

The building exceeds Montgomery County's green building standards through high-efficiency VRF (variable refrigerant flow) systems and an energy model that meets the county's performance benchmarks. Mechanical systems were selected for their ability to zone temperature control across multiple spaces with varying occupancy patterns.

The design process emphasized Value Engineering during design development rather than later construction phases. This early coordination among architects, engineers, and contractors identified cost-effective solutions that maintained design intent and performance requirements.

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