TWINING ROAD renovation

TWINING ROAD renovation POTOMAC, MD RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE A f t e r l i v i n g in their house for over thirty years, this “empty n e s t ” c o u p l e decided it was time to “freshen up” their 1980’s r a n c h s t y l e dwelling. The owners did not have preconceived i d e a s o r s p ecific programmatic goals, but instead were open m i n d e d a n d requested design solutions potentially varying in scope. T h e o w n e r s originally built this house, located in Potomac, M a r y l a n d , t o accommodate their young family. The house u n d e r w e n t a series of renovations and additions over thirty y e a r s , a d j usting to varying needs and changing family d y n a m i c s . Although these alterations served the family well, t h e n u m e r ous changes were not stylistically coherent or c o n s i s t e n t in their architectural details. The generally dark e x i s t i n g h ouse retained a compartmentalized kitchen and f a i l e d t o t a ke advantage of views toward the wooded parkland j u s t b e y o n d the property. T h i s m o s t recent renovation attempts to better organize the h o u s e , p r o vide a more open floor plan, infuse the house with n a t u r a l l i g h t and focus views toward the woodlands. The desire w a s t o c r e a te a new scheme that was updated, comprehensive a n d u n i f i e d while adding minimal square footage. The a d d i t i o n a l space allows a home office to be relocated from t h e b a s e m ent. W ith high ceilings and an abundance of glass, t h i s s p a c e is oriented to take advantage of the wooded v i e w s . T h e kitchen is reoriented, enlarged, and opens up to a d i n i n g s p ace, living room and views of the landscape. The m a s t e r b e d room and bathroom are repositioned to maximize o r i e n t a t i o n toward the views and reorganized to facilitate d a i l y r o u t i nes. Interior finishes, including Wenge flooring a n d r i f t- s a wn oak millwork, are intended to unify and enrich t h e i n t e r i o r spaces. Detailing is minimal and crisp, allowing n a t u r a l l i g h t and views to take center stage. W i t h t h e i r s trong emotional ties and an affinity for the house d e v e l o p e d over thirty years, the redesign became a balancing a c t b e t w e e n retaining the original house while updating it for t h e n e x t c h apters in this family’s lives. The redesign allows t h e o r i g i n a l ranch house, with its strong horizontal presence, t o a n c h o r a series of vertical volumes that enrich the house w i t h l i g h t a nd optimal views to the landscape beyond.