At Burrell Architects, exploratory work is fundamental to how we evolve as designers. It gives us space to test new ideas with rigor and freedom, while remaining anchored in the realities of construction, performance, and the lived urban experience. This project—the Hexagonal Façade Residential Development in Washington, DC—embodies that spirit of disciplined exploration.
At Burrell Architects LLC, we believe architecture is more than form and function—it is the creation of lasting value through thoughtful design. Every project begins with a deep understanding of how people live, move, gather, and experience space. Our mission is to craft environments that elevate daily life while delivering enduring beauty, performance, and long-term return.
Exploratory Concept: A Machine for Living in an Industrial City
Hexagon Apartments is an exploratory design study rooted in the industrial DNA of Baltimore—a city whose architectural character is shaped by centuries of manufacturing, steelwork, brickmaking, and maritime infrastructure. After years of working in Baltimore and experiencing firsthand the weight of its industrial history, I envisioned a residential building that would not simply sit within this context but embody it. This concept imagines a new type of residential architecture: a building that behaves like a machine, celebrates mechanical expression, and channels the raw beauty of the city’s past into a contemporary urban landmark.
The proposed design reinterprets Baltimore’s tradition of robust, utilitarian structures by embracing a bold architectural language defined by modular geometry, mechanical clarity, and expressive structure. The hexagonal façade system becomes the signature element of the exploration—an assembly of machine-like components that echo industrial tanks, gears, housings, and steelworks. Each module frames the residential units like precision-built cells in a functional system, reinforcing both individuality and collective identity within the building’s urban presence.
A new mixed use residential development is set to redefine its urban corridor through a bold architectural expression and a carefully calibrated massing strategy. The six-story project combines 299 residential units with a transparent, active ground floor retail base, establishing both a contemporary architectural presence and a strong community interface.
This project at North Capitol Street and Florida Avenue NW transforms an irregular, highly constrained urban parcel into a distinctive vertical residential community. The unique geometry of the site—narrow, angular, and bordered by major corridors—informs a design strategy that converts significant limitations into opportunities for architectural expression.
Architectural Narrative – Master Plan Program Overview
I WORKED ON THIS PEOJECT WHILE WORKING FOR CPH Consultants Inc,., The master plan envisions a comprehensive, multi-faceted campus designed to support large-scale gatherings, public engagement, education, training, and commemorative experiences. The program integrates a diverse range of facilities into a unified environment, each component contributing to the site’s cultural, civic, and operational mission.
“ The Kapuk Coastal Club Anchored on the Java Sea coastline within Pantai Indah Kapuk”
The Kapuk Golf & Recreation Center—anchored along the Java Sea coastline in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK)—is a coastal leisure destination that unites landscape, sport, and hospitality into a cohesive recreational campus. I was directly involved in this project during my time at DDG, where the initial conceptual framework and master plan were first established in an earlier design format. Although the project’s original iteration predated my tenure, I undertook a comprehensive revisiting of the design, refining its architectural language, updating its visual and experiential identity, and aligning the concept with contemporary performance, aesthetic, and operational goals.
“Three Spaces. Three Intentions. One Design Philosophy.”
These three interior design studies represent Burrell Architects’ ongoing exploration of light, proportion, and spatial experience within the contemporary home. Each concept investigates a different design intention—whether it’s creating a seamless indoor–outdoor living room, shaping a dramatic and intimate interior through contrast, or crafting a refined symmetrical space that feels timeless and balanced. Together, they illustrate our commitment to thoughtful residential design grounded in comfort, clarity, and atmosphere, showcasing how varied architectural responses can elevate the way people live, gather, and connect within their homes.
Interior Design Philosophy
Burrell Architects creates environments where intention and experience come together seamlessly. Our work begins with a careful understanding of context — the character of the existing building, the culture of the surrounding community, and the everyday needs of the people who will inhabit each space. From spatial flow to material selection, every decision is purposeful, shaping interiors that feel clear, warm, and emotionally grounded. We believe great design communicates without trying too hard, offering clarity in circulation, authenticity in detailing, and a strong sense of place you can feel the moment you walk through the door.
“Reimagining a Mall. Reconnecting a Community.”
Burrell Architects presents the Southland Mall Redevelopment as a transformative study in reimagining an existing regional retail center for a new era. Serving as Lead Designer while working for CPH, Harry Burrell developed a comprehensive master plan that preserved the original mall structure while strategically building around it to create a more connected, walkable, and future-ready environment. The design strengthens circulation, enhances arrival experiences, and repositions the property as a vibrant community destination that responds to Florida’s climate, landscape, and lifestyle. By retaining the core building and revitalizing the surrounding areas, the master plan delivers long-term value with minimized disruption.
“A Climate‑Responsive, Human‑Centered Master Plan for a New Waterfront Identity.”
The Jakarta Bay Waterfront Master Plan was conceived as an ambitious architectural vision—an immersive coastal district where the city meets the horizon in a seamless blend of design, landscape, and water. The proposal imagined a world-class marina framed by a sculpted skyline of elegant residential towers and waterfront hotels, each positioned to capture sweeping views of the bay.
