From Lynn and Tad: How you feel about contemporary design may be a bit of a rorschach test: Some of us are only able to see the beauty of traditional house design, while others thrill to modern aesthetics.

Traditional residential architecture is often familiar and nostalgic. Many people love the use of Victorian detail or colonial columns or large front door pediments, because they are details that they understand and represent a look back in time to earlier tastes of what is pleasing.

We fall into the modern camp. We love all styles of good architecture, but have a special appreciation of contemporary art and buildings. Perhaps it is because we both studied design. Tad, of course, has an Architectural degree and Lynn has an undergraduate degree from American University in Design. As such, we have always loved contemporary expressions of design and marveled at homes and buildings that express the best of what is new and innovative.

Our current home, designed by noted architect Charles Goodman, that we have lived in for over 20 years, was modern for its day in the 1960’s with big vertical windows and a lack of traditional ornamentation. Tad’s design for our Silver Spring dream house is also modern for today with lots of light, openness, and innovative engineering ideas. But like most good contemporary design, he has tried to make sure that the house still reflects the traditional neighborhood and the setting in which it will exist. The house, on a narrow lot, preserves trees on the south side and is set back on the lot with a long driveway, so it does not block the views of the park of its nearest neighbors.

The side nearest to Lynn’s father’s house has additional architectural details rather than a solid wall, with a lot of transparency of windows and balconies,  again to offer an interesting view of what is sometimes an uninspiring facade of a neighboring house: the side wall.

The modern design of the house respects the narrow lot by having a small footprint from street side, front-on viewing. Only by standing at the end of the dead-end street, in Lynn’s father’s driveway, can one see the full extent of its long length and true size. This minimal street view but longer side is a wonderful advantage of a contemporary design, the ability to try new shapes and formats to blend in with the lot and surroundings.

The exterior materials the house uses are a mix of old and new: stone, wood,  glass and drivet (acrylic stucco.) The stone we hope to use gives a nod to the broad use of fieldstone stone throughout the suburban Silver Spring area.

Some say that contemporary design looks too contemporary; they feel that a neighborhood should look of one piece, with home styles that mirror or even mimic each other. They say that new home construction should respect the aesthetic that already exists and wish we would change the look of this house to a more traditional, historic and familiar design.

But we hope that by introducing a careful use of a modern aesthetic, we can enliven our traditional neighborhood. With time, we think, a contemporary home can become a touchstone and unique design for a wooded, private residential street and be appreciated and enjoyed by all.