Fieldston is a landmarked neighborhood known for its gracious Tudor, Georgian and Mediterranean style homes set sensitively in its rustic landscape. But it possesses a significant number of contemporary houses as well, including this one, originally built in 1959. Its roofscape and massing were inspired by the later work of Frank Lloyd Wright, while its industrial finishes - plywood siding and concrete block - were meant to show how common, modern materials can be used to create a beautiful building.
Unfortunately, these materials did not age well. So when we designed a renovation of the house, one of the most important challenges we faced was to find a new palette of materials that would both remain true to the Modern heritage of the house and at the same time create a more durable edterior envelope and tie it more closely to the neighborhood. The new stucco and stone exterior fit nicely in the immediate surroundings, drawing on materials used in adjacent Tudor and Arts and Crafts houses. The stone blends with the striking rock outcrop on which the house is built.
The resulting renovation, which includes a new entry pavilion, service entry, and rear yard deck, remains true to its design forbears, while giving the house a more solid, richer feel that suits its location.
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