Cinder Villa by Kube Architecture

ByJon Dykstra Houses

The rear yard is an urban oasis, with green space, fire boxes, and space for the children to play.

Designed by: Kube Architecture
Photos: Anice Hoachlander
Contractor: Arta Construction

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This is a modern fairytale – a story of a young couple looking for a home to start their family. They found a cottage in Washington DC’s historic Georgetown neighborhood, but it was a “cinder-villa” – fire had destroyed the interior, so it was in need of a full transformation.

They found an architect to design a “jewel box” within the shell of the historic structure – a beautiful space emerging from the ruins of the old. The fresh interior includes natural light, elegant materials, and a seamless connection to the outdoors.

A second floor was added in the rear, and large windows and doors now bring sun light into the open floor plan. The rear yard is an urban oasis, with green space, fire boxes, and space for the children to play. A roof deck adds to the family’s connection to the outdoors.

The red stain of the front cedar siding is repeated in the rear to tie together old and new. The restoration of the street façade preserves the cottage’s character and connection with the surrounding historic context.

The fresh interior includes natural light, elegant materials, and a seamless connection to the outdoors.
The fresh interior includes natural light, elegant materials, and a seamless connection to the outdoors.
The interior of the house is spacious and easy to navigate, with an open-concept plan that includes the living, kitchen, and dining areas.
The interior of the house is spacious and easy to navigate, with an open-concept plan that includes the living, kitchen, and dining areas.
The kitchen is connected to the living room with large door that leads to the back yard.
The kitchen is connected to the living room with large door that leads to the back yard.
The large windows and doors allow natural light to enter the open-concept floor plan.
The large windows and doors allow natural light to enter the open-concept floor plan.
An open kitchen and dining area with light wood flooring, cabinets, and built-in appliances.
An open kitchen and dining area with light wood flooring, cabinets, and built-in appliances.
A light and airy floating staircase with wooden inclinations and glass railings.
A light and airy floating staircase with wooden inclinations and glass railings.
A bedroom with wooden floors, white painted walls and ceiling, and a large glass window overlooking the rear yard.
A bedroom with wooden floors, white painted walls and ceiling, and a large glass window overlooking the rear yard.
The bathroom in the bedroom, which has a tile-topped sink, a full-width vanity mirror, a freestanding tub, and a glass-enclosed shower area.
The bathroom in the bedroom, which has a tile-topped sink, a full-width vanity mirror, a freestanding tub, and a glass-enclosed shower area.
A roof deck adds to the family’s connection to the outdoors.
A roof deck adds to the family’s connection to the outdoors.
The rear yard is an urban oasis, with green space, fire boxes, and space for the children to play.
The rear yard is an urban oasis, with green space, fire boxes, and space for the children to play.
The rear with green space, fire boxes, and space for the children to play.
The rear with green space, fire boxes, and space for the children to play.
The red stain of the front cedar siding is repeated in the rear to tie together old and new.
The red stain of the front cedar siding is repeated in the rear to tie together old and new.
The restoration of the street façade preserves the cottage's character and connection with the surrounding historic context.
The restoration of the street façade preserves the cottage’s character and connection with the surrounding historic context.
By Jon Dykstra · See their LinkedIn.