A DIAGONAL CITY VIEW

THE CHALLENGES

Aging rear structure predated the neighborhood’s Historic designation
Entire alleyscape was cluttered and tired
Needed more space for their walkout basement storage, their kitchen/breakfast area on the 1st floor, and their master bedroom suite on the 2nd floor
Wanted a design that unified the old structure, new addition, new deck, walkways, garage and alley entrance, and enlivened the view from the alley as well as introduced an engaging bolt of energy and interest to an otherwise typical Northwest DC alleyscape
Rear yard was narrow and severely constrained by D. C. Zoning limitations.
Entire neighborhood was protected under D. C. Historic Preservation guidelines, and any design had to meet the approval of the Historic Board, as well as neighbors and advocacy groups. Extensive coordination with various interested parties was called for

Built an addition, 2 stories tall with full basement that extended in a dramatic diagonal line across the width of the rear lot. This powerful angle allows for not only a sense of space, light and view from within, but a much more open and dynamic feeling to the outdoor spaces, including the new two-leveled deck and walkways.
The basement level of the new addition is accessible from inside and outside, and accommodates a wine cellar, gardening storage, and other weatherproof spaces.
The first floor addition has a completely new kitchen and breakfast room, as well as an opened up dining area. An upper deck for the grill, as well as a larger lower deck for dining, has been designed and added. The second floor is a new MBR/MBath suite.
A new curved slatted cedar trellis screens off the brick garage wall facing the house, and a new custom wood gate and slatted cedar walls separate the rear yard from the alley.

The diagonal is the dynamic of the design, creating highly energized and engaging spaces and views both inside and outside the addition, and that angle punctuates the alleyscape.
The materials and color choices are intended to transition from the bold addition colors and the strong stucco party wall down to the softer stained cedar railing, accentuated by the stainless steel cable rails, to the cedar slatted texture of the garage wall, and finally to the whimsical but highly crafted and detailed custom cedar gate at the alley entry.
Outdoor lighting, most of it low voltage, gives a glow to the new rearyard elements of hardiplank siding and trim, cedar slats and rails, brick and stucco walls, and glass.