On its menu, Founding Farmers celebrates the bounty of the American farm. But this spring the DC restaurant has another cause for celebration: It just became the first dining establishment in the District—and one of a few nationwide—to meet LEED Gold design standards for environmental stewardship. The design team from DC-based CORE created a modern interior full of details that evoke a rural vernacular—all the while incorporating hallmarks of green building such as recycled materials, high-efficiency fixtures, Energy Star equipment, low-flow plumbing and abundant natural light. Columns of salvaged barn siding (right) usher guests into the two-story space that features reclaimed wooden floors and canning jars on display from a West Virginia farm. Undulating light fixtures by Studio Italia evoke puffy clouds in a country sky. Founding Farmers is located at 1924 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW;
www.WeAreFoundingFarmers.com.ARCHITECTURE: CORE architecture | design, Washington, DC.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael Moran.