Architect and Entrant
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
5110 ½ MacArthur Blvd, NW
Washington, DC 20016
(202) 237-0925 (ph)
(202) 237-0927 (fax)
rmg@robertgurneyarchitect.com

Project Architect
Nicole de Jong

Contractor
Ted Peterson
Peterson & Collins
2332 Ontario Rd NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-4500
ecp@petersonandcollins.com

Engineer
Aziz Paracha
United Structural Engineers
21495 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 104
Sterling, VA 20166
Office (703)226-3730
Aziz@UnitedStructure.com

Interior Designer
Therese Baron Gurney, ASID
Baron Gurney Interiors
5110 1/2 MacArthur Blvd NW
Washington, DC 20016
202-244-6883
barongurney@gmail.com

Photographer
Anice Hoachlander
Hoachlander Davis Photography
5110 1/2 MacArthur Boulevard, NW
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 364-9306
anice@hdphoto.com

Completed: August 2016

This is a view of the front of the house with a unique gambrel roof, multiple dormer windows and tall chimneys. These are then complemented by the lush landscaping.

This is the side of the house with wide glass walls that retract to open the kitchen and dining area to the outdoor patio that is adorned with a large flowering tree.

This is the back of the house with retracted glass doors to open the interiors to the backyard that is illuminated by the warm light of the interiors.

Upon entry of the house, you are welcomed by this foyer that has a cushioned bench under a large painting across from the foot of the stairs.

This is the entrance to the living room from the foyer hallway. This has a built-in wooden structure with floating shelves for display.

The living room has a couple of light beige sofas flanking a coffee table across from the fireplace.

The pair of bright sofas match the coffee table and are complemented by the beige armchairs that match the mantle of the fireplace that is topped with a large painting.

One side of the living room opens up with retractable glass doors that lead to the backyard.

A few steps from the living room is the dining area with a large glass-top dining table.

The large round glass table is surrounded by beige chairs adorned with a large painting on the side.

The kitchen is illuminated by the large cathedral skylight above the kitchen island that brings in an abundance of natural lighting.

The kitchen has a beige tone to its countertops that match the dark wooden cabinetry contrasted by the bright ceiling and floor.

This is a black and white view of the front of the house before renovation adorned with creeping vines on its exterior walls that set a background for the sitting area.

This is a black and white view of the living room of the house before renovation with a more traditional look topped with a beamed ceiling.

This is another angle of the old living room with a row of arched glass doors on one side leading to the back.

This is the illustrative representation of the rear elevation of the house showcasing the renovations made.

This is the illustrative floor plan of the first floor showcasing the renovations made.

This is the illustration of the floor plan of the whole property along with the surrounding landscape.

After time spent in their modern, light-filled Miami, Florida space, the owners of this NW Washington DC house found themselves yearning for the same quality of light in their primary residence. The existing DC residence had a traditional layout with compartmentalized spaces, heavy trim, and a dark palette of materials. A beautiful garden, developed over the owners’ thirty years at the property, seemed isolated from the interior spaces.

In this redesign, changes were implemented throughout the house, but the major revisions revolved around the family room, breakfast room, and kitchen, located at the back of the house and adjacent to the carefully cultivated garden. From its conception, the design focused on infusing the spaces with light and creating a seamless transition between interior and exterior spaces.

The renovation process was primarily reductive; interior walls were removed, trim and moldings were eliminated and the most solid exterior wall obstructing views to the garden was replaced with floor to ceiling glass. A small steel and glass addition, encompassing 88 square feet enlarges the family room.

Incorporation of the owner’s expansive art collection, including work by luminaries Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Gilliam, and George Condo was central to the redesign. The integration of the interior spaces and the garden was essential. In the redesign, interior materials are pared down to highlight the art. New stone flooring extending from the interiors onto adjacent terraces and into the garden enhances the integration of these spaces. Doors and windows fold open and create an open-air connection that reinforces this relationship.

Ultimately, this project involves synthesizing art, light, and landscape. The project incorporates a modern architectural language that coexists within a traditional house in an established neighborhood.