Music, art, and great architecture entered into the judges’ discussion of this organically inspired addition and renovation of a wedge-shaped, brick-faced 1970s home that was sandwiched between two subdivisions. “It references [Frank Lloyd Wright’s] Robey House, and the presentation is superb,” said one judge. “Composed like a well-done piece of art or music,” said another.
The project reorients the home toward a public park while adding 366 square feet of living space. The texturally rich design overlays elements in four layers. A band of rooms respects the existing home’s scale and adds square footage. Transparent walls and frames address the new views. Decks and raised terraces connect all levels to the outdoors. Finally, wood railings and vertical screen walls both define outdoor “rooms” and afford privacy from the park.
Overall, the solution “addresses the front entrance in such a way that it creates a grand sequence,” said the judges. “It was very abrupt before, but now it suits its site — almost as though it mimics the surrounding environment.”
Location: Bethesda, Md.
Designer: Donald Lococo Architects, Washington, D.C.
Contractor: Macon Construction, Kensington, Md.
See list of all 2008 RDA winners.