Washington. DC
This two-story rowhouse in North East DC was completely remodeled, and a new third floor and rear build-out were added. The Owner, a single woman who travels internationally for her work in Public Health, requested a minimal, timeless modernism reflective of the spaces she sees in Europe.
The resulting design solution consists of:
WHITE SURFACES
A neutral interior shell of white walls and ceilings, and light floors wrap all spaces throughout the house in light. A tall, sculpted white volume at the entry contains a powder room and closet, and sits in contrast to the white horizontal volume of the kitchen island.
BLACK ACTIVATING DEVICES
Black spatial elements create additive and subtractive conditions through-out the house. Exposed ceiling joists over the dining room mediate between the volume of the kitchen cabinets and the “floating” stairs in the main space. An angular steel handrail is carved into the wall, along with niches for TV and display. The second floor stairs are black box steps that terminate in a dark blue (almost black) wall - the Owner’s favorite color. Contrasted against the white surfaces, these conditions visually activate the house and connect the spaces seamlessly.
NATURAL LIGHT
Large glass windows in front and back bring natural light through all spaces of the house. Interior walls were removed to open views out to the City, including a double height space in the rear. The master bathroom includes clerestory glass, and solar tubes were inserted over the stairs.
The home’s exterior received a full face-lift, which included all new cladding and roofing, and new windows. In the rear, a new deck was added off the main space, and on the upper level a small walk-out balcony extends out from the media room.
Photos: Paul Burk Photography
This two-story rowhouse in North East DC was completely remodeled, and a new third floor and rear build-out were added. The Owner, a single woman who travels internationally for her work in Public Health, requested a minimal, timeless modernism reflective of the spaces she sees in Europe.
The resulting design solution consists of:
WHITE SURFACES
A neutral interior shell of white walls and ceilings, and light floors wrap all spaces throughout the house in light. A tall, sculpted white volume at the entry contains a powder room and closet, and sits in contrast to the white horizontal volume of the kitchen island.
BLACK ACTIVATING DEVICES
Black spatial elements create additive and subtractive conditions through-out the house. Exposed ceiling joists over the dining room mediate between the volume of the kitchen cabinets and the “floating” stairs in the main space. An angular steel handrail is carved into the wall, along with niches for TV and display. The second floor stairs are black box steps that terminate in a dark blue (almost black) wall - the Owner’s favorite color. Contrasted against the white surfaces, these conditions visually activate the house and connect the spaces seamlessly.
NATURAL LIGHT
Large glass windows in front and back bring natural light through all spaces of the house. Interior walls were removed to open views out to the City, including a double height space in the rear. The master bathroom includes clerestory glass, and solar tubes were inserted over the stairs.
The home’s exterior received a full face-lift, which included all new cladding and roofing, and new windows. In the rear, a new deck was added off the main space, and on the upper level a small walk-out balcony extends out from the media room.
Photos: Paul Burk Photography
