Architect Robert M. Gurney transformed a small, unrenovated rowhouse in Georgetown into a modern, light-filled, and open dwelling for a family of four. Within the existing home, spaces were compartmentalized and disconnected from the property’s rear garden, and the kitchen was located in the basement, a full floor below the primary living spaces.
The architect focused on rearranging spaces during the renovation. A new, open staircase with a skylight allows light to permeate through all the floors, and walls on the main level were removed to open the spaces to a modern addition. Bedrooms on the second floor were opened to the sloping roof line to provide a greater sense of space, while a new primary bedroom with high ceilings and an abundance of glass occupies the second floor of the addition.
Exposed brick and stone walls, Danish Douglas fir floors, and rich cabinetry create a warm but minimal interior aesthetic, while the high ceilings and expanses of glass create a feeling of more space. The addition is intended to respect the historical fabric of the home and was built largely on the footprint of a previous addition. New trees were installed in the large backyard to help enhance the primary green space.
Project Details
Award: Grand
Category: Renovations and Additions
Architect: Robert M. Gurney Architect
Builder: Washington Landmark Construction
Location: Washington, D.C.
Size: 2,250 square feet
