contemporary new house construction in suburban maryland
All posts tagged contemporary new house construction in suburban maryland
Its been a cold start to the spring in Maryland and work has slowed a bit. Most changes are occurring inside: the rough in of electrical, hvac, plumbing, all geared for close-in. The windows went in this week, see below. Framing is starting to reveal the design, see pictures of the front rooms framed and their CAD renderings right below each picture, showing what it will be like when the drywall goes up. The house is getting a lot of love–the contractor and subs are excited to be working on the project. It is really a unique home in our city. Our Hispanic workers call the house “muy chola” — “very pretty homegirl”.
looking out from living room windows
balcony in living room
balcony in living room rendered by CAD
looking from the breakfast room toward living room
breakfast room to living room in CAD rendering
in living room, looking toward atrium and 3rd floor balcony
same view as above in CAD
from kitchen island looking to living room and across atrium
same view as above, kitchen island looking out, in CAD
From Lynn: We are blessed with a warm winter so far, and Andrew and his crew are framing very quickly. The second floor is more than half-way to completion and the third floor is going up. The work is very high quality, this house is built to last.
On this day, a year ago, Tad had just been admitted to the hospital for a fever and a too rapid heart beat, turned out it was from a raging staph infection that had attacked his heart and his spine. After two weeks in the hospital and three months on a pic line at home, he fully recovered. We are thrilled that he is so healthy and that we were able to move forward on the house this year.
We look forward to completion in the Summer of 2015. Our “Shaque D’amour” theme song for 2015 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SOryJvTAGs
Happy New Year from Lynn and Tad
Waiting for the weather to warm up by Friday so the mason’s can finish. Below, see masonry of atrium and two bridges being built.
These photos show the progress as of 2/08/15.
front of the house
rear of the house, facing the street
From Lynn: This week and last the contractor excavated over 60 dump trucks of dirt from the big dig! Then his crew began to form the footings and tie the rebar steel, to begin pouring concrete. Then the forms for the walls came up.
Forms for walls.
Tad in thought.
The new design is here, see the set by clicking this link: Grodzki’s Residence-Revised Full Set 2-28-15
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Meet our contractor: Andrew Deshler of Classic Craftsmen, Inc.
Contact info:adeshler@mac.com
15200 Redgate Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20905
Cell – (301) 523-5524 / 0ffice – (301) 879-2000 / Fax – (301) 879-3000
Andrew is a Renaissance man — experienced builder, wine connoisseur and jazz musician.
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Environmental Design: Leading with LEED
From Tad: In the process of designing this house I have tried to maximize interesting circulation layouts, natural ventilation systems, high insulation values, and natural lighting methods that mirror good and green design principles.
I follow, as much as possible, the main goals set by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.) LEED guidelines provide buildings with a framework for implementing measurable green building design, construction, and solutions. And I have attempted to make ease of use for aging users and visitors an element of major concern, without going the official route of LEED certification.
After a recent course in LEED methods, I find that, unfortunately, the LEED process seems to have become a source of obstacles, based on the cumbersome LEED certification testing, expense and time demands.
I do believe that architecture needs clear energy and materials conservation requirements and energy conservation goals and LEED clearly points to a better way to design.
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.
From Lynn: Last night, at moonrise, we “smudged” the property that is now cleared of trees and brush. Using scent and scented smoke in rites of purification, whether through smudging (the process of using a smudge stick) or burning incense, is common in many traditional cultures around the world.
Our process was led by Lynn’s sister Dale Asrael, an Acharya (senior meditation teacher) from Shambhala Mountain Center and Naropa University, and Fred Jaben, her honey and former Director of the Denver Shambhala Center who were visiting. At Lynn’s request, they kindly offered to conduct a Tibetan chant to bless and clear the property.
We circled the perimeter of the property 3 times holding smudge sticks (smoking clusters of sage) and Dale and Fred used an ancient Tibetan invocation to ward off bad energy and evil spirits. Then we stood at where the front door will be and set intentions for safety during the build, and a vision of beauty, good health, prosperity and love inside the new house. Lots of joy and laughter followed as we sat outside with Lynn’s Dad, Stan, to watch the moon, the fireflies, and think about next steps to follow.
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Silver Spring Dream House 