Alexandria, Virginia
Contemporary House Exterior, DC Metro
With a quiet site and good views to a stream-fed park to the east, this 1800 SF split-level had great potential. Here, as in many homes, the kitchen is the hub of family life. So it was crucial that the space worked well for both large gatherings and daily family routines. On the 1st floor, the key was to work within the existing house as much as possible, re-configuring the interior walls while simultaneously increasing the floor to ceiling height. Additional windows, patio doors and a small kitchen addition brightened the interior and expanded the house by providing a new, light-filled, double-height foyer. More space was gained by relocating the master bedroom to a new 2nd floor suite.
Taking down the walls that compartmentalized the first floor allowed the kitchen, dining and living rooms to be defined by tall cabinets. Outfitted as kitchen pantry storage on one side and built-in living room bookshelves on the other, these cabinets extend only partially to the new 9-foot high ceiling and allow the 1st floor to be viewed more as a single room. Switching the locations of the dining room and kitchen allowed for better functionality, views and access to the rear patio through wide sliding glass doors.
Access to the 2nd floor master suite is via a wood and steel-framed stair outfitted with stainless steel aircraft cable fittings. The high-ceiling master bedoom leads to an adjacent study and private deck overlooking the placid rear yard. The light-filled bath acts as a buffer to the street beyond and has been outfitted with a frameless glass shower, heated slate tile floor and sauna.