PROJECT 70's Reno and Thought Bubble
ARCHITECT Donald Lococo Architects, LLC
LOCATION  Washington, District of Columbia US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  2/3/2022
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Donald Lococo, David Moore
OWNER/CLIENT
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  George Papaheraklis
PHOTOGRAPHER  Anice Hoachlander
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Jennifer Horn
CIVIL ENGINEER
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER David Linton
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
Designed primarily as a gallery, the 1970’s structure had the aesthetics more often seen in commercial rather than residential architecture. Its massing and ’70s brick made this house an exception rather than the rule in a street lined with gabled revivals. It was odd. In the past, it would have been easily replaced with a new modern or conforming house. Today however, retaining its differences, preserves the diversity of Washington DC’s architectural heritage. The original owners, purveyors of fine art, designed the home to function like their other commercial galleries. However, this made it less than ideal for the young family of three gallery who purchased it. Excessive display walls impeded room interaction, garage staging areas left redundancy, and, to protect art from sunlight, the front façade remained windowless.

The renovation reduces display walls so that rooms dialog with each other and reclaims art staging spaces near the garage for mudroom and laundry. This creates space for a foyer. Adding a glass entry, the length of covered recess still preserves the ’70s blocks of brick welcoming in light to the opened foyer. A new second floor addresses the remaining program but created a challenge. Initial attempts with present architectural form and material easily blurred with the existing. The use of curves and a contrasting quiet surface, the second story recedes allowing the existing ’70s form to read through. A reveal at the exiting roof and addition interface allows the addition to "hover like a thought," increasing visual separation.

Refraining from increasing footprint or to demolish is a less ecologically stressful option and does not interrupt the existing eco system. An addition on top rather than beside the existing does not disturb any established planting even at the existing foundation. The design only gives the existing house new residential life but it saves tons material that would have been repurchased if it were new, and the demolished remains transported and added to our landfill.

Although the home no longer functions as a gallery, art and sculpture still animate the home; but now art extends to the community rather than cloistered inside. The first tops the entryway. It is a flea market fragment sourced by the architect and then modified. The roof is fortified to anticipate more sculpture as they are collected and detailed as a green roof complete with walking boards as the owners settle in. Since railings at the roof edge would compromise the ’70s massing at the front, mirrors flanking the chimney allow sculptures to be appreciated in three dimensions safely from inside They also provide privacy to and from neighbors 16 feet away. A lion sculpture discovered under vines at a side yard was moved to “guard” the front door.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Overall Street View-The design of the home looked to emblematic icons that were introduced the same year the original house was built, and influenced the design in shape, element, and material. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
2. Overall Street View-The design of the home looked to emblematic icons that were introduced the same year the original house was built, and influenced the design in shape, element, and material. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
3. View of Rooftop sculpture garden with mirrors for reflection. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
4. Front Entryway. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
5. Entry Foyer at front door facing back of house. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
6. Day photograph second floor add with sculpture/ green roof garden. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
7. Second floor showing roof garden and reflective wall so occupants in Studio can enjoy anticipated sculptures in 3D. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816
8. Night photograph addition at existing roof with sculpture/ roof garden. Anice Hoachlander, Anice Hoachlander Photography, LLC, 113 Valley Road, Bethesda, MD 20816