PROJECT  Modern Cottage

LOCATION  Bethesda, Maryland, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  5/15/2024

Firm(s): Fowlkes Studio 

Design Team Members: Catherine Fowlkes, AIA; VW Fowlkes, AIA; Evie Soileau RA

Client: 
Contractor/Construction Manager: Impact Construction - Justin Sullivan

Landscape Architect: Thorn Rankin

Structural Engineer: Rathgeber/Goss Associates, PC

Civil Engineer: 

Mechanical Engineer: 

Electrical Engineer: 

Photographer(s): ©JennVerrier
Additional project support: 

PROJECT SUMMARY

How do we create more space without negatively impacting the scale and character of a charming lot and neighborhood? How does a split level house appear less looming and more balanced and welcoming? These ideas were front of mind as we designed Modern Cottage to reflect the needs and sensibilities of the homeowner while composing an alternative to the typical neighborhood expansion.

The original post-war housing of this neighborhood is being replaced bit by bit with new developer driven construction, maximizing building volume and lot coverage to meet generic market demands. Modern Cottage aimed to reinvent the type, creating a thoughtful composition with great attention to materiality while retaining sensitivity to scale.

Working economically on the existing foundations, the brick walls and front and rear yards were preserved. The roof ridge was raised and the pitch steepened to allow for two second-story Bedrooms and Baths without undermining the intimate scale of the home. A central dormer with a monumental window rises over the Entry to enable a lofty interior experience while creating a sculptural roof. Rather than adding a second story faced with brick cladding, we tucked it under a deep pitched roof of soft green standing seam metal.

The low-slung eave wraps its way around the building, creating the effect of a lower datum at the front and gable ends. Instead of masking the circulation quirk of a split-level home, we leaned into the drama of this procession, making it a fundamental experience of the building. The surprise of interior spaciousness is enhanced by the two and a half story Entry with an interior balcony. The open first floor and transparent railings allow the light from this singular oculus to travel unobstructed. The renovated home feels airy and spacious, despite the remaining original 8-foot ceilings. The sculptural intervention encourages connection between floors as well as the outdoors to the inside.

JURY COMMENTS (if applicable)

This project has sensitive details, rich interior materials, and creates generous spaces within a constrained envelope. The play of fenestration and reinvention of the existing house is commendable.

The Modern Cottage is a thoughtful and well-executed transformation of a dated split-level, demonstrating how targeted interventions can significantly improve an existing home without losing its original character. The reworked entry and stair create a stronger sense of arrival, openness, and natural light, while the simple roof element over the front door provides a subtle but effective sense of entry. The raised roof and dormer improve the scale and proportion of the front elevation, and the clever use of poche for storage makes efficient use of otherwise residual space. Reconfiguring the living room and kitchen into one large open space significantly improves the functionality and spatial experience of the home. Retaining the existing house and foundations reinforces the value of reuse, while the overall design remains respectful of the scale and character of the neighborhood.

This project creates interior space for the house without adding exterior volume very effectively. The hints of color in the railings and cabinetry are nice touches within the soothingly neutral material palette.

The consistent use of a ribbed metal panel on all new addition surfaces is a sophisticated move, while still complementing the traditional form and aesthetic—very nice. The use of stone and minimalist overhang is an elegant detail. Love the use of handmade tiles in the bathroom. It’s beautiful.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Standing seam metal wraps the new roof and dormer. The original brick was painted and extended above the windows with a subtle change in orientation and pattern. Several re-used existing windows were painted to blend with the new. - Jenn Verrier
2. The standing seam metal roofing partially encases the side and rear facades to both unify the palette and bring the eave line lower. Porcelain pavers flow from the Sunroom onto the deck, switching to open joints to allow water to permeate. - Jenn Verrier
3. A frameless glass railing overlooks the Entry below and the street beyond. The second floor landing offers views to the front, while the flanking Bedrooms look out to the sides and rear yard. - Jenn Verrier
4. The new stair defines the Kitchen and houses a refrigerator, a pantry and storage. - Jenn Verrier
5. The second stair to the new floor was designed in-line with the Entry and encapsulates Kitchen appliances and storage. A large Mud Room is hidden in plain site on the first floor between runs of stairs. - Jenn Verrier
6. A new cleft marble projection and cantilevering steel awning frame the, custom wood front door. This sole addition, 24” deep, provides elbow room at the point of entry and addresses the awkward scale of a split-level home. - Jenn Verrier
7. The Sunroom was re-clad in standing seam metal. - Jenn Verrier
8. A front facing Office gets a large picture window, composed to break the roof line and provide a sculptural relief to the expanse of roof.- Jenn Verrier