Urban Monochrome in Washington, D.C by KUBE architecture

Article source: KUBE architecture

This two-story row-house in Northeast DC was completely remodeled, and a new third floor and rear build-out were added. The Owner, a single woman who travels internationally for her work in Public Health, requested a minimal, timeless modernism reflective of the spaces she sees in Europe.

The resulting design solution consists of:

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

• Architects: KUBE architecture
• Project: Urban Monochrome
• Location: Washington, D.C
• Photography: Paul Burk Photography
• Software used: SketchUp, Archicad, Illustrator, Photoshop
• Lead Architects: Richard Loosle-Ortega
• Additional Credits
  • Design Team: Richard Loosle-Ortega and Andrew Baldwin
  • Structural Engineer: JZ Structural Consulting
  • General Contractor: Metrix Construction
  • General Contractor: Jason Remodeling

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

• • Custom Steel: Metal Specialties
  • Custom Kitchen: Ferris Co Custom Cabinetry
• Gross Built Area: 3,000 sf
• Completion Year: 2019

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

White Surfaces

A neutral interior shell of white walls and ceilings, and light floors wrap all spaces throughout the house in light. A tall, sculpted white volume at the entry contains a powder room and closet, and sits in contrast to the white horizontal volume of the kitchen island.

Black Activating Devices

Black spatial elements create additive and subtractive conditions through-out the house.  Exposed ceiling joists over the dining room mediate between the volume of the kitchen cabinets and the “floating” stairs in the main space. An angular steel handrail is carved into the wall, along with niches for TV and display. The second floor stairs are black box steps that terminate in a dark blue (almost black) wall – the Owner’s favorite color.  Contrasted against the white surfaces, these conditions visually activate the house and connect the spaces seamlessly.

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Natural Light

Large glass windows in front and back bring natural light through all spaces of the house. Interior walls were removed to open views out to the City, including a double height space in the rear. The master bathroom includes clerestory glass, and solar tubes were inserted over the stairs.

The home’s exterior received a full face-lift, which included all new cladding and roofing, and new windows. In the rear, a new deck was added off the main space, and on the upper level a small walk-out balcony extends out from the media room.

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © Paul Burk Photography

Image Courtesy © KUBE architecture

Image Courtesy © KUBE architecture

Tags: D.C., Washington

Categories: ArchiCAD, House, Illustrator, Interiors, Photoshop, Residential, SketchUp

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