This unusual project is located on a long narrow lot in an industrial area of Washington near Capitol Hill. It incorporates state-of-the-art car washing equipment including a recycling system which reduces its consumption of water drastically. The complex also houses a detailing area, customer waiting and offices, and a quick lube facility. As a further conservation measure, waste oil is recycled from the lube facility and used for heating. Given the grey, gritty & cluttered visual context of the site, a design vocabulary of simple planes of strong colors was employed. Entrance to the facility is through a wide portal into a courtyard where the initial choices of services are made. The courtyard features a small pond with aquatic plants and live fish to bring a touch of "nature" to this otherwise desolate section of the District. Hubcaps from classic cars are mounted as cornice elements along the top of the car wash tunnel.
