Strolling past ordinary row houses in Washington’s Pleasant Plains neighborhood, it would be easy to overlook the newest home on the block. But turn into an unmarked alley and you’ll glimpse a bold, industrial-style abode. With an exterior of corrugated metal, cinderblock and oxidized steel, it reads more SoHo or Tribeca than buttoned-up DC.

The modern dwelling started out as an unassuming, one-level brick warehouse built in 1900, probably part of an old helicopter factory. It later became a woodshop, then fell into disrepair—until architect and designer Patrick Brian Jones decided to rescue the structure and convert it into his own studio and the home that he now shares with husband Rajeev Ramchand and their Tibetan Terrier, Parker.  

Fate also came into play. Before the pandemic, a developer had hired Jones to design a two-story spec home on the site, using the 1,500-square-foot warehouse as a base. But when covid struck, the developer pulled out of DC. Thinking fast, Jones decided to adapt the project as a personal one. After all, he and Ramchand had outgrown their two-bedroom condo and the carriage house in Shaw where Jones kept an office had been sold. 

“We've always wanted to live in an industrial-type space but that kind of housing stock in DC is rare,” explains the architect. “When this came up, we knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity so we had to do it.”

Doing it was easier said than done. One of the walls was about to cave in. Though present, plumbing lines were not connected. And the 12-inch-thick concrete roof would need major reinforcement to support an upper floor. 

But Jones overcame these challenges to make his visionary plan a reality. On the main level of the now-complete, 2,600-square-foot residence, a lofty space with 14-foot ceilings encompasses his studio, living and dining areas and kitchen; a small stair leads to a powder room and garage. Meanwhile, a floating steel-and-white oak staircase leads to the upper floor, housing the primary suite; two guestrooms (one doubles as a home office for Ramchand, a psychiatric epidemiologist), a guest bath, laundry and terrace courtyard. Above it all, a roof deck delivers expansive city views. 

From the street, the original warehouse is barely discernable. On its brick façade, Jones added two windows to echo existing ones. Even larger, black-mullioned windows punctuate other exterior walls. The building’s once-angled corner was squared off with a vestibule clad in patinaed Corten steel. 

“I’m a big fan of artist Richard Serra, who inspired the entry,” says Jones. “My intention was to create something sculptural and intriguing. A lot of people have no idea that there’s a home behind the walls.”

Inside the vestibule, doors lead into the main living area or the studio, which can be closed off by a frosted-glass, pocket-door system from Boffi. An edgy interior palette sets the vibe, from custom-tinted concrete floors to exposed ductwork, black-painted steel beams and the original concrete ceiling. 

However, Jones countered the raw with the refined. “When designing an industrial space, you don't want it to feel too cold,” he avers. “Warmer woods, furniture, artwork and even the use of drywall instead of exposed walls create a polished look to offset the industrial elements.”

Bespoke built-ins crafted in rich walnut outfit the kitchen and dining area. And a 1930s Czechoslovakian chandelier that once graced the Philadelphia homes of Jones’ parents and grandparents now presides over the main seating area. “I like the contrast between new and old,” notes the designer. 

Jones orchestrated the sleek kitchen to revolve around easy entertaining. It stars an oversized island with bar seating; cabinets and a concealed coffee bar keep clutter at bay. The owners selected an induction cooktop since the property has no access to natural gas. A reading nook is built into adjacent millwork. 

Upstairs, a bridge flanked by enormous windows connects the primary suite and guest bedrooms. “Since the first-floor space was existing, we wanted to retain its rawness,” explains the designer. “But I envisioned the upstairs as a cross between Japanese and Scandinavian design—light and airy, with lower ceilings and white oak floors.”

In the primary suite, rather than losing real estate to a walk-in closet, Jones fashioned an open dressing area centered on wide, free-standing wardrobes. Serenity flows in the primary bath housing a soaking tub and shower with a wood-slat floor. 

A courtyard off the bedroom harbors a stairway to the party-ready upper deck. There, a long, narrow green roof not only adds color, but also helps insulate the home and reduces runoff. In addition, solar panels offset the carbon footprint. 

“This is a completely fossil fuel-free home,” declares Jones. In fact, the project was driven in part by sustainability. “It’s very rewarding to repurpose a building rather than demolishing it and sending materials to a landfill,” he adds. “If a structure has good bones, there’s no reason why you can’t retain it and make it beautiful.”

The couple is now enjoying work and life in their hip alley haven. As Ramchand reflects, “It's a new space, but there’s a sense of history and personality to it. People think that you can't bring in older stuff and maintain a sense of modernity, but I think that we’ve been able to do just that.”