Peterson Residence in Chevy Chase, Maryland by Robert M. Gurney

Article source: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect

Located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this project involves a complete renovation and substantial addition to a familiar, simply massed brick “colonial”.   The original, gable shaped volume fronting the street is minimally altered in an effort to retain the scale and massing of neighboring houses.  Tall windows are incorporated into the existing façade.  A copper clad, vaulted volume is integrated into the composition with a new front porch and wide stairs, invoking the nostalgic porches found throughout the neighborhood.

Front View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

• Architect: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
• Name of Project: Peterson Residence
• Location: Chevy Chase, Maryland
• Contractor: Peterson and Collins Inc.
• Project Architect: Claire L. Andreas
• Interior Designer: Therese Baron Gurney, ASID
• Landscape Architect: Lila Fendrick Landscape
• Engineer: D. Anthony Beale LLC
• Photographer: Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
• Software used: The design of the house begins with pencil and paper; Bob sketches and hand-draws the design first, then it is put into CAD

To reduce the massing as seen from the street, the majority of new space is added to the back of the house.  Living spaces are relocated to the “garden” side of the property, away from the street.  A new terrace and rigorously designed landscape elements, including walkways, walls and plantings become an integral part of the design.  A garden structure, constructed of dry-stacked stone, mahogany, steel and copper roofing anchors the composition and provides privacy from adjoining properties.  The entirety of the lot is incorporated into the design of this project.

Front View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

The light filled interiors are ordered and open, crisply detailed and minimal while retaining richness and warmth.  Quarter-sawn white oak cabinetry and millwork, dark stained oak flooring, and mahogany screens are combined with travertine, black granite and limestone to comprise the majority of the material palette.  Furnishings are selected to be harmonious with finishes and spatial composition.

Back View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Today, too many houses are immediately discarded and demolished in favor of inflated, poorly detailed, badly massed structures that overwhelm their sites.   This project demonstrates an attempt to provide the spatial requirements desired for a current lifestyle in a manner that retains much of the existing building fabric and a significant amount of the site to incorporate landscape and garden.

Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

Exterior View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Exterior View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Street View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Street View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Interior View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Interior View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Interior View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Interior View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Dining table (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Interior View (Images Courtesy Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer)

Tags: Chevy Chase, Maryland

Categories: Autocad, Residential

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