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A couple purchased a dilapidated 1920’s bungalow in a town adjacent to DC known for its diverse and inclusive community. Despite the house’s poor condition, they fell in love with its expansive yard in which to grow a vegetable garden - a dream while living in New York City previously.

To create a flow from harvest to table, an open kitchen with direct access to the vegetable garden was built in the rear of the house. Designated as a historic resource, however, the new construction could not be visible from the front street. This restriction along with the intention not to overexpand the house’s footprint minimized the size of the addition. Even though modest in scale, with the band of windows and a corner skylight, the design of the kitchen successfully brings light and airiness into the whole house. In conjunction, the entire house has been revived by a complete gut renovation.

2023 AIA Washingtonian Residential Design Award

Takoma Park, Maryland | 2023

Photography: Ty Cole