Architectural Heritage Preserved in Complete Update of DC Rowhouse

Houses

The living room, which features a fireplace and a balance of dark and bright elements.

Designed by: Kube Architecture
General Contractor: Haigh DeCastro
Photography: Anice Hoachlander
Steel: Metal Specialties

This full rowhouse renovation in Mt. Pleasant studies the concept of heavy and light in balance with each other. The concept also relates to the Owners’ passion for bicycling and yoga, both of which rely on balance.

The existing first floor was widened to the full width of the site, and a second floor rear addition cantilevers over the rear yard. A third floor office/studio was added, and the basement was finished as a bicycle workout and storage area.

The first floor now operates as one large living/dining/kitchen space, with multi-slide doors opening to a new rear yard that serves as an extension of the living space.

Overall the house transforms from heavy to light, as one moves from basement to third floor studio. Within that transformation, dark and light elements interlock spatially and materially.

The second floor addition “floats” over the rear yard, and the office/ studio on the third floor is filled with light – large skylights illuminate the yoga area, while a full glass wall faces the rear of the rowhouse.

The balance concept is carried through in each space slightly differently, from overall design to detailed elements, such as the main staircase, powder room walls, and cabinetry.

This house is located within a historic neighborhood, so the original street façade was retained, while the light and airy interior opens up to the renovated rear yard. The third floor addition was set back behind the original sloped roof, hidden from view at street level, and the modern rear façade offers a clear contrast between old and new.

Photos

The first floor operates as one large living, dining, and kitchen space.
The first floor operates as one large living, dining, and kitchen space.
An open-concept interior design that encompasses the dining, kitchen, and living areas.
An open-concept interior design that encompasses the dining, kitchen, and living areas.
The balance concept of the overall design of the house interior such as the main staircase and cabinetry.
The balance concept of the overall design of the house interior such as the main staircase and cabinetry.
The kitchen is lit up with pendant lights, and the long island is coupled with a bar stool.
The kitchen is lit up with pendant lights, and the long island is coupled with a bar stool.
A secluded, light-filled space on the second floor with a view of the back yard.
A secluded, light-filled space on the second floor with a view of the back yard.
The office and studio on the third floor is filled with light.
The office and studio on the third floor is filled with light.
The large skylights illuminate the yoga area.
The large skylights illuminate the yoga area.
The basement was finished as a bicycle workout and storage area.
The basement was finished as a bicycle workout and storage area.
A minimalist bedroom with floating side tables and night lamps installed on the wall.
A minimalist bedroom with floating side tables and night lamps installed on the wall.
The master bedroom highlighting the dark and light elements.
The master bedroom highlighting the dark and light elements.
A bathroom with a floating cabinet and an undermount sink, as well as a large mirror.
A bathroom with a floating cabinet and an undermount sink, as well as a large mirror.
A multi-slide doors opening to a new rear yard that serves as an extension of the living space.
A multi-slide doors opening to a new rear yard that serves as an extension of the living space.
The old street façade was preserved in its original form.
The old street façade was preserved in its original form.
Images from the previous interiors prior to renovation.
Images from the previous interiors prior to renovation.
The balance house first floor plan.
The balance house first floor plan.
The balance house second floor plan.
The balance house second floor plan.
The diagram of the balance house.
The diagram of the balance house.

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