PROJECT Backyard Retreat

LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  10/31/2017

ARCHITECT  MCDStudio

ASSOCIATED ARCHITECT/DESIGNER  

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Matthew McDonald, Jennifer Verbeke

OWNER/CLIENT

CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Ley LTD. / Simon Ley

PHOTOGRAPHER  Erik Kvalsvik

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT N/A
CIVIL ENGINEER N/A
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER N/A
MECHANICAL ENGINEER N/A
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER N/A
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  

Backyard Retreat is an example of adaptive reuse at a residential scale in the Cleveland Park Historic District in Washington DC. This project converted an existing detached garage into a yoga studio and home office.

Recognizing that the garage was too small and never going to be used to park a car, the idea came about to use the existing space to create a much-needed ancillary space for respite and mindfulness that is separate from the existing home. The new space became a serene retreat that serves as a home yoga studio, office and an area of rest. Separating these uses from the home allows a true retreat from the everyday found in a typical bustling family home. An oasis, hidden in plain sight, now serves the family in a way that the garage never did.

A small storage area at the driveway side of the existing building maintains the character of a detached garage, in keeping with the neighborhood, while accommodating yard maintenance equipment.

Within the retreat space, a loft area at the rear serves as a natural lounge spot and allows for storage below. A folding table provides a useful work surface but can be concealed to create an open space for yoga. The built-ins were created with salvaged antique heart pine wood. Skylights and a large folding door allow for natural daylighting.

While the footprint of the existing garage was not altered, its use and appearance have been improved. What was once an element to ignore and hide became something to embrace and enjoy.
 

JURY COMMENTS (If Applicable)

Sometimes it’s what we don’t do that’s important. This project stays close to its original make up, respects and even brings some detailing forward but also re-orients the garage into a new use for a new time. The closing of the front with expected doors, the new opening to the rear, re-orients its use and character with a straightforward ease. The compact detailing and exposure of the original structure shows a sensibility that has a fuller appreciation of time. The new storage/bed-loft seams simpler and louder in the space than I think it could have been. I was not sure if it was the species of wood or its shape/flush detailing, but it was not as strong as the fold down table which archived many things at once (multiple function, transforming of the space and revealing with surprise the full story of the projects story).

The jury loved this modest transformation of a historic but undersized garage. The challenging times we now face have given new importance to projects which bring new life to underutilized spaces like this. The careful negotiation of historic regulations is to be applauded; the new carriage house doors are more than just decorative. We loved how this historically appropriate feature cleverly hides a small storage space and effectively disguises the new functions accessed from the other side.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)

1. Exterior View of the entrance to the Backyard Retreat © Erik Kvalsvik
2. Exterior View of the entrance to the Backyard Retreat © Erik Kvalsvik
3. Interior view looking towards built-in loft © Erik Kvalsvik

4. Exterior View of the entrance to the Backyard Retreat © Erik Kvalsvik
5. Interior view featuring fold-down table © Erik Kvalsvik
6. Interior view of fold-down table looking towards garden © Erik Kvalsvik
7. Reclaimed wood shelves at window near rear loft © Erik Kvalsvik
8. Foot holds provide easier access to loft area © Erik Kvalsvik