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A couple fell in love with the expansive yard of a dilapidated 1920’s bungalow in a vibrant, diverse community just outside Washington DC— a perfect space for the vegetable garden they had long dreamed of while living in New York City.

To create a seamless 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, new construction had to remain invisible from the front street. This restriction, along with their commitment to preserving the home’s scale, resulted in a thoughtfully proportioned addition. Despite its modest size, a band of windows and a corner skylight flood the kitchen with natural light, creating an airy, inviting atmosphere that extends throughout the house. A full gut renovation further revitalized the bungalow, seamlessly blending history with modern functionality.

2023 AIA Washingtonian Residential Design Award

Takoma Park, Maryland | 2023

Photography: Ty Cole