Before: front view
"Changes to prevalent developer houses in desirable neighborhoods are inevitable,” observes architect Robert Gurney. “While this renovation incorporated significant additional space, the goal was to add a new layer to the building’s existing fabric. The massing, architectural language and material palette created a home that is updated, modern and functional while respecting the context of the established neighborhood.”
| Then | Now |
| The run-of-the-mill spec house was too small; over the years, poorly designed renovations and additions had not answered the owners’ needs. | The home has been enlarged with new volumes adding a much-needed entry, screened pavilion and second-story office while maintaining the scale and rhythm of the streetscape. |
| The building was dark, encompassing a hodgepodge of styles, details and finishes. | Expanses of glass now organize the interiors more efficiently, introducing natural light and a sense of openness throughout sleek, streamlined spaces. |
| The residence was part of a post-War development of similar, one-story residences. Its unremarkable front façade lacked curb appeal. The owners wanted to conjure a stylish aesthetic using a material palette consistent with what was already around them. | Black-framed windows add an industrial-modern touch, while a central gable sounds an abstracted-traditional note. Painted clapboard siding, stone and slate roofing are in keeping with the surrounding homes. |
Renovation Architecture: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect, Washington, DC. Renovation Contractor: Added Dimensions, Inc., Takoma Park, Maryland. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects, Annapolis, Maryland.