Ballard Mensua was hired to update a 1913 residence in DC’s Cleveland Park by realtor Hans Wydler and his wife Ginny, who is passionate about interior design. The plan called for an exterior makeover as well as a major expansion that would more than double its square footage and create a host of modern amenities.
One of the challenges was to design a light and airy, transitional home that would still maintain the historic charm of the existing structure. To achieve this goal, the team sourced antique oak beams, Belgian oak floors, and custom iron railings. The exterior brick was painted so the additions would blend in with the original. The home now encompasses formal living and dining rooms, an eat-in kitchen, a sun room, five bedrooms and a rec room.
FACTS + STATS
Founded in 2005, Ballard Mensua specializes in architecture as well as interior and landscape design. The seven-person firm handles about 60 projects annually, ranging from $150,000 to $30 million.
5185 MacArthur Boulevard, NW, Suite 370
Washington, DC 20016
202-810-6555
ballardmensua.com
Clients in Arlington had a generously sized lot, but its steep grade made building on it a challenge. “We had to find a balance of scale and location for the house,” recalls architect James McDonald, who was hired to design a custom home on the property. “We flattened the rear yard so we could build far enough back from the street, but left room for left and right wings that step back.”
A Nantucket-style exterior is enhanced by sloping rooflines, banks of windows and eyebrow dormers. The interiors feature a two-story foyer with panel molding and a grand staircase; a galley kitchen opening up to the family room and rear loggia; and an open connection between main-floor spaces.
FACTS + STATS
James McDonald Associate Architects, PC, was established in 2009. A staff of 10 handles 20 to 30 projects a year, ranging from custom jewel-box additions to grand estates measuring over 20,000 square feet. The firm specializes in infill custom homes.
James McDonald Associate Architects, PC
10135 Colvin Run Road, Suite 200
Great Falls, VA 22066
703-757-0036
jamesmcdonaldarchitects.com
Nantucket Vibe
James McDonald designed a sprawling traditional home with comfort and charm to spare
Historic Charm
Ballard Mensua brings a 1913 DC home into the 21st century
Classic Haven
Alt Breeding Schwarz Architects designs a warm and inviting shingle-style home
Form & Function
John F. Heltzel AIA updates the 1980s, Mediterranean-style home indoors and out
Craftsman Contemporary
Thomas Manion artfully blends styles in an open, light-filled home
Classical Influence
Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects design a Palladian-style villa amid Virginia’s rolling countryside
English Country Style
James F. Rill, AIA, renovates a mundane rambler with charming results
Modest Growth
EL Studio transforms a cramped bungalow with a modest, well thought-out addition
Modern Magic
AV Architects + Builders designs a sprawling contemporary home to take advantage of its picturesque locale
Home & Design celebrated the launch of its July/August 2017 Designers issue with a party at Best Tile on June 14th. Guests mingled and browsed the Rockville showroom’s array of kitchen, bath and surface materials.
The Washington Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art advances the practice and appreciation of classical tradition in architecture and the allied arts. Every other year, the chapter holds a design competition to recognize fine classical work in the region.
The awards are named after John Russell Pope (1874-1937), a New York-based architect who designed significant classical buildings in Washington, DC, including the Jefferson Memorial and the National Gallery of Art. After a jury of experts selected this year’s winning projects, the chapter announced the 2017 awards at a gala held on April 21 at the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC. The winning projects are pictured above; for more information, visit classicist-washington.org.
NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN over 5,000 square feet Jones & Boer Architects. Chain Bridge House.
NEW RESIDENTIAL DESIGN under 5,000 square feet Jones & Boer Architects. West River House.
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OR ADDITION over 5,000 square feet Barnes Vanze Architects Inc. Addition to a Pope House.
RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION OR ADDITION under 5,000 square feet Donald Lococo Architects. Kalorama Renovation.
INTERIOR DESIGN Patrick Sutton. New Life for a Storied Home.
COMMERCIAL/INSTITUTIONAL Glavé & Holmes Architecture. Christopher Newport Hall.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION Historical Arts and Casting. U.S. Capitol Dome Restoration.
OTHER WINNERS
Ecclesiastical over 3,000 square feet: McCrery Architects. St. Mary’s Help of Christians Church.
Ecclesiastical under 3,000 square feet: O’Brien and Keane Architecture. Mary’s Chapel.
Artisanship-Ironwork: Iron Masters. Iron in the Classical Tradition.
Artisanship-Stone: Marmi Natural Stone. Monumental Staircase.
Student Awards: Parker Hansen, Notre Dame, Debate Theater for the National Mall; and Michael Rabe, Judson University, Shipbuilding Museum.
On June 15, the AIA Northern Virginia chapter held its 2017 Design Awards celebration at Alexandria Renew Enterprises’ headquarters, designed by Rust | Orling Architects. A jury of Denver-area architects judged the competition, which included 144 submissions. Winning single-family residential and historic projects are shown here; for all others visit aianova.org/DA17.
RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE
Award of Excellence Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect, Q Street residence, Washington, DC. Jones & Boer Architects, West River House, Harwood, Maryland.
Award of Merit
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect, House on Solitude Creek, St. Michaels, Maryland.
Jurors’ Citation
Kube Architecture, Salt + Pepper House, Washington, DC.
David Jameson Architect, Wildcat Mountain House, The Plains, Virginia.
Kube Architecture, Casa Abierta, Chevy Chase, Maryland.
Donald Lococo Architects, Historic City-House Renovation, Washington, DC.
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
Award of Excellence Bonstra | Haresign Architects, The Sanctuary, Washington, DC.
Award of Merit Barnes Vanze Architects Inc., Addition to a Pope House, Washington, DC.
—Susan Gulick, Susan Gulick Interiors
A rug should not only look good but also feel great. Wool, bamboo, silk and even chenille are typically very soft—Paola Martinez McDonald, Olamar Interiors, LLC
—Lori Duval, J&L Interiors
—Charlene Kennerknecht, Monarch Design
—Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio
Area rugs come in different qualities: hand-knotted, hand-tufted and machine- made. After deciding on your budget, the pattern, color, and style will dictate a perfect solution.—Gina Fitzsimmons, ASID, Fitzsimmons Design Associates, Inc.
Out of India:The hand-woven Runic rug blends New Zealand wool and cotton.
Into the woods:The hand-knotted, wool-and-silk Maple rug celebrates nature.
Going green:The Elizabeth Blue indoor/outdoor weave is made of recycled plastic bottles.
Practical Yet Elegant
Practical meets elegance in this functional bathroom made to accommodate two busy professionals. The design was influenced by a Parisian hotel where the couple had once stayed.
Bruce Bowers, Owner, Bowers Design Build, Bowers Design Build, 703-506-0845, bowersdesignbuild.com
Mixed Metal Magic
Break the rule of not mixing metals. Combining warmer tone metals like gold with cooler tone metals like stainless steel adds a layer of vibrancy and uniqueness to the kitchen.
Shanae Mobley, Reico Kitchen & Bath, 800-734-2611, reico.com
Dream in Color
An architect’s dream, offering a sleek modern amalgam of form and function. The bold use of color and sculptural design makes this kitchen a work of art.
Davida Rodriguez, Davida’s Kitchen, and Tiles, 240-361-9331, davidaskitchenandtiles.com
Lifetime of Comfort
With thoughtful reconfiguration, we altered the first floor of this home to allow for full wheelchair access. Streamlined construction and careful procurement of accessible, yet attractive materials keep this bathroom feeling upscale.
Jonas Carnemark, CR, CKD, Carnemark design + build, 301-657-5000, carnemark.com
Transforming Outdated Contemporary
Custom white cabinets, a waterfall edge island, a modern banquette, and Cubist-style built-ins transformed an outdated 1970s Cleveland Park kitchen while respecting the original contemporary design.
Ellen Witts, Gilday Renovations, 301-565-4600, gilday.com
NKBA Award Winner
A kitchen designed to function as the client lives. Entertaining and a healthy lifestyle was the inspiration. Use of different materials working in harmony is what makes it truly unique.
Sarah Kahn Turner, Jennifer Gilmer Kitchen, and Bath, 301-657-2500, gilmerkitchens.com
Subtle Visual Interest
When a number of small, fine details harmoniously accumulate – a variety of tiles; rich cabinetry; clean, contemporary fixtures; all illuminated by a unique window – they can create a lasting impression.
Leo Wilson, Principal, AIA, LEED AP, Hammond Wilson Architects, 410-267-6041, hammondwilson.com
Elegance Through Design
Kitchens are the heart of the home, at USACS we make your dreams a reality. We design and define places for you to reconnect, renew relationships and rejuvenate your life.
Chris Shoemaker, Sales Director, USA Cabinet Store, 703-635-3767, usacabinetstore.com
High Quality Details
Poggenpohl offers new, authentic wood grain decors in silver ash, smoked ash and oak heritage with synchropore embossing. These can be ordered with a horizontal or vertical grain direction as desired.
Amir H. Farazad, AAI-Poggenpohl, 301-657-8618, chevychase.poggenpohl.com
+STAGE – Ingenious Design
In developing +STAGE, Poggenpohl deliberately focuses on modern living, concentrating on all that is essential to home life. The highly functional +STAGE units are equipped with pocket doors that hide or reveal what’s inside.
Jeff Roberts, Poggenpohl Georgetown, 202-342-9111, washingtondc.poggenpohl.com
Everything In Its Place
Does a kitchen need to be big to be beautiful? Size is clearly not everything. A custom hood, contrasting island and a subtle pop of color make this kitchen a gem.
Stephanie Fried, Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens, Inc., 301-984-9484, rosenkitchens.com
Double Island Kitchen
This kitchen design features a second island where guests can freely mingle. Open shelving at the end of one island helps lighten the weight of the piece and provides easy access to cookbooks and other commonly used kitchen items.
Lisa Publicover, Purple Cherry Architects, 410-990-1700, purplecherry.com
Home for Life
This customized bath design combines shades of white with a curbless walk-in shower, oval soaking tub and plenty of natural light to create a completely modern design.
Francisca & Tony Alonso, AV Architects + Builders, 703-865-5065, avarchitectsbuild.com
At a gala event on February 18, held at the Pooks Hill Marriott in Bethesda, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) Metro DC Chapter announced the 2016 Contractor of the Year (COTY) Awards, given to a wide range of remodeling and custom-building projects in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. An independent panel of judges reviewed 114 submissions to select the winners in 34 categories. Home & Design, a media sponsor, gave one of the winners its Award of Excellence for exceptional design. The following pages list the winners; three outstanding projects are featured beginning on page 158. All award-winning projects can be viewed on the chapter’s website, narimetrodc.org.
HOME & DESIGN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE BOWA.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN $30,000 TO $60,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes; MERIT: Lofft Construction Inc.; FINALIST: Remodel Virginia, LLC; HONORABLE MENTION: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN $60,001 TO $100,000 GRAND: CARNEMARK systems + design; MERIT: Landis Architects/Builders; FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN $100,001 TO $150,000 GRAND: Gilday Renovations; MERIT: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes; FINALIST: Finesse Design Remodeling.
RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN OVER $150,000 GRAND: P.A. Portner Inc.; MERIT: WINN Design + Build; FINALIST: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.; HONORABLE MENTION: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL BATH UNDER $25,000 GRAND: TriVista USA, LLC; MERIT: Karma Home Designs.
RESIDENTIAL BATH $25,000 TO $50,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes; MERIT: Landis Architects/Builders. FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL BATH $50,001 TO $75,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes; MERIT: Superior Home Services, Inc.; FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL BATH $75,001 TO $100,000 GRAND: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.; MERIT: Daniels Design & Remodeling; FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL BATH OVER $100,000 GRAND: Berriz Design; MERIT: BOWA; FINALIST: Case Design/Remodeling, Inc.
RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR UNDER $75,000 GRAND: Levine Group Architects + Builders, Inc.
RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR $75,000 TO $150,000 GRAND: Karma Home Designs; MERIT: Finesse Design Remodeling; FINALIST: Wentworth, Inc.; HONORABLE MENTIONS: Bowers Design Build, Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR OVER $150,000 GRAND: Anthony Wilder Design/Build; MERIT: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.; FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL INTERIOR ELEMENT UNDER $30,000 GRAND: Landis Architects/Builders; MERIT: Merrick Design and Build, Inc.; FINALIST: Superior Home Services, Inc.
COMMERCIAL INTERIOR GRAND: Superior Home Services, Inc.
RESIDENTIAL ADDITION UNDER $100,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes; MERIT: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL ADDITION $100,000 TO $250,000 GRAND: Heltzelhaus, Inc.; MERIT: Merrick Design and Build Inc.; FINALIST: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.
RESIDENTIAL ADDITION OVER $250,000 GRAND: Anthony Wilder Design/Build; MERIT: Landis Architects/Builders; FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR UNDER $100,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR $100,000 TO $200,000 GRAND: Alco Products Company, Inc.
RESIDENTIAL EXTERIOR OVER $200,000 GRAND: Bowers Design Build.
ENTIRE HOUSE UNDER $250,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes; MERIT: Remodel Virginia, Inc.; FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
ENTIRE HOUSE $250,000 TO $500,000 GRAND: Remodel Virginia, Inc.; MERIT: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.; FINALIST: Remodel Virginia, Inc.
ENTIRE HOUSE $500,001 TO $750,000 GRAND: WINN Design + Build; MERIT: Landis Architects/Builders.
ENTIRE HOUSE $750,001 TO $1,000,000 GRAND: TriVista USA, LLC; MERIT: DE | design, llc.
ENTIRE HOUSE OVER $1,000,000 GRAND: BOWA.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS UNDER $15,000 GRAND: TriVista USA, LLC; MERIT: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL RENOVATION/RESTORATION UNDER $250,000 MERIT: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
RESIDENTIAL HISTORICAL RENOVATION/RESTORATION $250,000 AND OVER GRAND: Thomas Archer, LLC.
RESIDENTIAL DETACHED STRUCTURE GRAND: Harry Braswell, Inc.; MERIT: KohlMark Group.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN/OUTDOOR LIVING UNDER $60,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
LANDSCAPE DESIGN/OUTDOOR LIVING $60,000 AND OVER GRAND: Berriz Design; MERIT: Wentworth, Inc.; FINALIST: TriVista USA, LLC.
BASEMENT UNDER $50,000 GRAND: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
BASEMENT $50,000 TO $100,000 GRAND: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.; MERIT: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes; FINALIST: Michael Nash Design Build & Homes.
BASEMENT OVER $100,000 GRAND: Anthony Wilder Design/Build; MERIT: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc.; FINALIST: Sun Design Remodeling Specialists, Inc. v
For photos of all NARI/COTY award-winning projects or more information on NARI, visit narimetrodc.org.
Each fall as cooler weather socks in, members of the landscaping industry gather to celebrate a sunnier time of year with the “Excellence in Landscape” awards. Sponsored by the Landscape Contractors Association (LCA) of Maryland, DC and Virginia, this annual competition is judged by industry experts, who vote in more than a dozen residential and commercial categories. In the articles listed below, we highlight four winning entries and list all the 2016 residential LCA award winners. These innovative projects reflect the finest in landscape design, with inviting outdoor kitchens and fireplaces, spectacular pools and lush plant scapes—in a range of styles and colors guaranteed to get you in the mood for spring.
Grand RetreatA stately garden by McHale Landscape Design complements an 1820 home in Easton
Rustic + RefinedWheat’s Landscape updates a McLean property with lush greenery and a clean-lined aesthetic
Blank SlateSurrounds, Inc., transforms a flat, empty Leesburg property into a pastoral retreat
French FlairDesigns for Greener Gardens gives an Annapolis property an elegant makeover
DECADE
DESIGNS FOR GREENER GARDENS, INC. greenergardens.net — French Estate, Residential Maintenance.
McHALE LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC. mchalelandscape.com — Knightly Estate, Residential Maintenance; Annapolis Residence, Total Residential Contracting.
HERITAGE
McHALE LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC. mchalelandscape.com — Spring Hill Residence, Total Residential Contracting/Craftsmanship.
GRAND
COLAO & PETER OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS colaostone.com — Georgian, Alexandria, Craftsmanship (Design/Build), French Living, Great Falls, Craftsmanship (Design/Build).
GROW LANDSCAPES, INC.
growlandscapes.com — Leesburg Front Courtyard, Front Residential Planting, and Entranceway (Design/Build).
JENNIFER CONNOLEY LANDSCAPE DESIGN jcld-landscapedesign.com — Bell Property, Outdoor Living Area.
KANE LANDSCAPES, INC.
kanelandscapes.com — From Flooded to Fabulous, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
LAND & WATER DESIGN, INC.
landandwaterdesign.com — Rockville, Maryland Backyard Retreat, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
McHALE LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC. mchalelandscape.com — McLean Residence, Craftsmanship; Thunder Residence, Craftsmanship; Solitaire Lane Residence, Outdoor Living Area; Crest Lane Residence, Front Residential Planting and Entranceway; Fairfax Residence, Craftsmanship; Davidsonville Residence, Outdoor Living Area; Country Club Residence, Front Residential Planting and Entranceway; Lorton Residence, Outdoor Living Area; Coachway Residence, Outdoor Living Area; Potomac Residence, Craftsmanship.
PLANTED EARTH LANDSCAPING, INC. plantedearthlandscaping.com — Potomac Residence, Total Residential Contracting; Baltimore Rooftop Garden, Outdoor Living Area; Lancaster Garden, Residential Maintenance; Alexandria Residence, Total Residential Contracting.
SURROUNDS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE surroundslandscaping.com — Grenata Preserve, Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build); Bhungalia Residence, Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build); Ellison Residence, Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build); Soobert Residence, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build); Masonwood Estate, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
WHEAT’S LAWN & CUSTOM LANDSCAPE wheats.com — The Tregoning Residence, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build); The Allen Residence, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build); Graham-Collier Residence, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
DISTINCTION
FINE EARTH LANDSCAPE INC. fineearth.com — Bethesda Family Resort, Outdoor Living Area; Rhee Residence, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
GARDENWISE, INC. gardenwiseinc.co — Logan Circle Oasis, Washington, DC, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
JOHN SHORB LANDSCAPING, INC. jsli.com — A Residence in Northwest DC, Outdoor Living Area.
LIVE GREEN LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATES, LLC livegreenlandscapes.com — Bel Air Residence, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
McHALE LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC. mchalelandscape.com — Chicamauga Residence, Craftsmanship.
HONORABLE MENTION
COLAO & PETER OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTS colaostone.com — Modern, Alexandria, Craftsmanship (Design/Build).
GARDENWISE, INC. gardenwiseinc.co — Tudor Craftsman, Arlington, Virginia, Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build).
LIVE GREEN LANDSCAPE ASSOCIATES, LLC livegreenlandscapes.com — Glen Arm Residence, Total Residential Contracting (Design/Build).
McHALE LANDSCAPE DESIGN, INC. mchalelandscape.com — Southern Maryland Residence, Residential Maintenance.
SISSON LANDSCAPES sissonlandscapes.com — Soutter Residence, Outdoor Living Area (Design/Build).
Acorn Deck House Company occupies an unusual niche in the post-and-beam, custom-housing market. Within the walls of its 85,000-square-foot factory in Acton, Massachusetts, the company manufactures the prefabricated components of custom homes it has designed in all shapes, sizes and styles. Once the parts are completed, they are shipped to building locations around the country and abroad, where local contractors oversee their assembly.
With 30 employees, Acorn Deck House Company handles all aspects of each project from inception until the components leave the factory. The process begins with a meeting between the client and a project director. “Our project directors get the big picture, the client’s wish list, what they’re looking for in a home,” says marketing coordinator Valerie Graham. After the client makes revisions, the project director relays the plan to the design department, which tailors the home to the client’s specifications.
A panelization department then breaks down the drawings into components: beams, posts, wall panels averaging eight-by-eight-feet and more—“the nitty-gritty details of the customer’s plan,” Graham says. Those are then sent to the factory for the fabrication process.
Acorn Homes began life in 1947. Deck House was launched in 1959, and the two companies joined forces in 1995, becoming Deck House, Inc. In 2009, the company was purchased by president Tom Trudeau, who merged the names. Today, there are three divisions: Acorn Homes, which designs traditional houses; Deck House, which designs with a contemporary aesthetic featuring exposed post-and-beam frames; and NextHouse, which is more modern than the Deck House system with cleaner lines and flat roofs. A fourth system, Collaboration, allows outside architects to bring plans to Acorn for fabrication.
The benefits of a prefab custom home are many—starting with predictability. “Since most of our building takes place in the factory and has so much planning behind it, our estimates tend to be very on-point, with no hidden costs or surprises,” Graham explains. “Customers see from the renderings in the beginning exactly what the finished product is going to look like.”
Additionally, there is very little waste, as the in-house production process utilizes almost all materials—and weather is never an issue, since the building takes place indoors. Once the parts arrive at the job site, the framing stage takes less time because everything has been precut and labeled at the factory.
Another plus: The company’s Parts & Service department has archives going back to 1947. “We take care of past clients,” Graham says. “We’ve built about 20,000 homes since the beginning and have been able to maintain about 18,000 of those plans. So if an owner calls with a house that was built in the 1960s, our Parts & Service department can consult the original plans, help replace parts and offer updates or renovation ideas.”
While most of the designs the company produces tend to be hybrids—a mix of traditional and contemporary interiors—the last couple of years have seen a shift toward more modern homes created within the NextHouse division. “It’s your house, your way,” Trudeau says. “We can do anything—whatever the customer wants.”
FACTS & STATS From start to completion, the process takes from eight months to a year, with the design-and-fabrication portion reliably lasting 10 weeks. Acorn has shipped houses to Israel, Japan, China and England; projects are currently underway in Mongolia, the Bahamas and Australia.
SPECIALTIES Acorn Deck House Company designs custom homes and custom additions. Twenty houses and 15 additions were built last year; this year, 32 projects are already in the works.
INQUIRIES Acorn Deck House Company, 852 Main Street, Acton, Massachusetts 01720 • 800-727-3325 • AcornDeckHouse.com
Each year, a panel of building-industry professionals is selected to judge new homes and communities in the Mid-Atlantic region, and to choose their nominees for the Great American Living Awards. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, the Washington Metropolitan Sales & Marketing Council and the Maryland Building Industry Association, the GALA awards, held last fall at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner, honor excellence in new home architecture, interior design, sales and marketing in our region. The 2017 entries filled 43 categories; those pertaining to architecture and design included single- and multi-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, and custom-home and remodeling projects.
Home & Design covered the winners in the custom-builder categories in the November/December issue; below, we spotlight the Grand award-winners in the residential architecture and design categories.
Home of the Year
Anthem House, Baltimore, Maryland. Bozzuto Homes, KTGY.
Community of the Year
Bayside, Selbyville, Delaware, Carl M. Freeman Companies, Parker Rodriguez, Borcz+Dixon.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots under 7,000 sq. ft.)
$400,001 - $500,000
Arcadia I at Tallyn Ridge, Frederick, Maryland. Miller & Smith, KTGY.
$600,001 - $700,000
Mercer at Shipley Homestead, Hanover, Maryland. PulteGroup.
$700,001 - $850,000
Balmoral at Beallair, Charlestown, West Virginia. Wormald Homes.
Over $850,000
Glyndon at Vienna Grove, Vienna, Virginia. Christopher Companies, Devereaux & Associates.
Design and Architecture, Detached Home (lots 7,000 sq. ft. and over)
$400,001 - $500,000
Criswood at Courthouse Manor, Stafford, Virginia, Miller & Smith, Sutton Yantis Associates Architects.
$500,001 - $600,000
Hedgebrook at Cayden Ridge, Manassas, Virginia. Miller & Smith, KTGY.
$600,001 - $700,000
Kensington at Avendale, Bristow, Virginia. Brookfield Residential, Pinnacle Design.
$850,001 - $1,000,000
Timberneck at Willowsford, Ashburn, Virginia. Van Metre Homes, Virginia Residential Construction.
$1,000,001 - $1,400,000
Fieldwood at Eleven Oaks, Fairfax, Virginia. Madison Homes, Devereaux & Associates.
Over $1,400,000
Oakton at Willowsford, Aldie, Virginia. Drees Homes.
Over $5,000,000
Lewis Residence, McLean, Virginia. M & A Custom Homes.
Design and Architecture, Attached Home
$300,000 - $350,000
Paramount at Tallyn Ridge, Frederick, Maryland. Miller & Smith, KTGY.
$350,001 - $400,000
Chesapeake at Admirals Square, Annapolis, Maryland. Brookfield Residential, Lessard Design.
$400,001 - $500,000
Worthington Square at Villages of Urbana, Frederick, Maryland. Parkwood Homes, KTGY.
$500,001 - $600,000
Foxton at Brambleton Evermont Trace, Ashburn, Virginia. Miller & Smith, KTGY.
$600,001 - $700,000
Luna at Downtown Brambleton, Brambleton, Virginia. The Knutson Companies, Lessard Design.
$700,001 - $850,000
Calvin at Montgomery Row, Bethesda, Maryland. Eya, Lessard Design.
Over $850,000
Bradley at The Brownstones at Chevy Chase Lake, Chevy Chase, Maryland. Eya, KTGY.
Design and Architecture, Multi-family New Construction
Hanover Shady Grove, Rockville, Maryland. Hanover Company, Lessard Design.
Design and Architecture, Multi-family Boutique Construction
Element 28, Bethesda, Maryland. Kettler, R2L: Architects.
Design and Architecture, Multi-family, Mixed-Use
Anthem House, Baltimore, Maryland. Bozzuto Homes, KTGY.
Design and Architecture, Multi-family Renovation or Conversion
New Union Garage, Washington, Dc. Opal, GPS Designs.
Design and Architecture, Best Adaptive Reuse
New Union Garage, Washington, Dc. Opal, GPS Designs.
Innovative Land Planning Residential
Eleven Oaks, Fairfax, Virginia. Madison Homes, Devereaux & Associates.
Innovative Land Planning Mixed-Use
Crown, Gaithersburg, Maryland. Westbrook Properties, The Eisen Group.
How do you select the best plant material for a project located on or near the bay?
When choosing plant material for a waterfront landscape, we first determine how much space there will be to work with when planning the garden. We then look at the usual criteria, including amounts of sun and shade throughout the day, and how well the soil drains. But planting a garden in the critical area, where it will be part of a mitigation plan, requires adhering to a different set of criteria. First, we make sure we are using native plant material that will withstand weather and other environmental challenges. If we are planting near salt or brackish water where wave or storm action can whip the water up, we also pay attention to salt spray, which can damage foliage. Another concern is tidal flooding, which can inundate planting beds. —Jon Moran, Homestead Gardens Landscape Division, Davidsonville, Maryland
A brief shower had passed over the town of Betterton, Maryland, and the clouds had begun to roll out when photographer Stephen Cherry captured this golden-yellow sunset on the Chesapeake. “I photograph these chairs a lot, mostly when they’re not occupied,” he says. “As the light changes, they seem to be inviting the viewer to come, sit and share this moment.”
What are important factors to consider when selecting siding and roofing for a waterfront residence?
When selecting materials for a waterfront residence, durability is the foremost concern. Since waterfront exposures do not typically have the advantage of trees or other homes blocking them from the water side, they face more extreme wind and moisture. Luckily, the material market has responded with many good options. There are lots of composite siding products available today that will last longer and hold paint finishes better because they do not absorb moisture. Many of today’s roofing products carry lifetime warranties from the manufacturer. My suggestion is to evaluate these products based on their total life-cycle cost versus just their initial cost. Although some products are more expensive, they may last longer or require significantly less maintenance. —David Carlisle, Bayview Builders, Annapolis, Maryland
When renovating an older home, how do you make an addition look as though it’s always been there?
For an addition to feel integral to the original house, materials and massing need to be compatible. The pitch of the roof and the types of dormers, overhangs, trim and detailing need to complement the original structure.
Typically, an addition is subservient to, or smaller than, the primary building. The connection between new and old needs to be well considered; it should be respectful of the old without being a replica or simple extension. One aspect that is frequently overlooked is the creation of outdoor spaces between the addition and the original house. These “outdoor rooms” are opportunities to enhance the original building with fresh, new views and connections to the landscape. —Kirk Allbright, Allbright Bullock Architects, Severna Park, Maryland
