Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect

Peterson Residence

Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

PETERSON RESIDENCE

Robert Gurney Architect

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
Lila Fendrick Landscape

CONTRACTOR
Peterson and Collins Inc.

ENGINEER
D. Anthony Beale LLC

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Therese Baron Gurney, ASID

PROJECT YEAR
2009

CATEGORY
Houses, Renovation

LOCATION
Chevy Chase, United States

Text description provided by architect.

Located in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this project involves a complete renovation and substantial addition to a familiar, simply massed brick “colonial”.

Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

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.

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.

Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

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.

The light filled interiors are ordered and open, crisply detailed and minimal while retaining richness and warmth.

Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

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.

Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Peterson Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Peterson Residence
© 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.


Peterson Residence
Axonometric View
Peterson Residence
Floor Plans
Peterson Residence
Floor Plans

Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect
T +1 202 2370925 F +1 202 2370927
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect
5110 1/2, 5110 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States