It happens frequently in a renovation project that the architects and interior designers will turn a perceived limitation into a creative asset. An apparent obstacle to the fulfillment of our client's vision will spark a new approach that is actually better than what they came up with in the first round. Here's a recent example.
Project Architect Dan Morales described his approach to designing an addition for a Chevy Chase home as "a conservative rendering" of a Tudor revival.
Dan aims to make a design that belongs to the place it occupies. "I walk the neighborhood and spot similar houses to get a feel for how they fit in."
As shown in Dan's sketch, a traditional look would have the second floor of the addition slightly overhanging the main floor.
But studiously observing tradition in this situation would have put the corner of the house into conflict with property boundaries.
So Dan had to create an alternative. The result is the extraordinary two-story box bay window element shown here.
Here's a closer look at this architectural detail.
You can see how gracefully it solves the mundane but very real necessity of keeping the far corner of the house from encroaching on setbacks prescribed by Montgomery County.
As it turned out, the finished project became the subject of a feature article in the Spring 2010 issue of Home & Design Magazine. And it was selected for a 2009 Capital CotY Award from the Metro DC Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
Oh. And in case you are wondering. Here's what the back of the house looked like before we got involved.
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