This remodeling project focused on transforming a 1958 split-level home with a new one-story rear addition and a comprehensive interior renovation. The primary goal was to create a spacious great room and a master suite that supports aging-in-place and accessibility, while also enhancing the home's connection to the backyard and hillside views. The existing kitchen and dining areas were reimagined to open up sightlines, increase natural light, and establish a stronger sense of indoor-outdoor flow.
The project came with several challenges. Beyond the typical complexities of a large-scale remodel, it required careful integration of accessibility features to accommodate long-term mobility needs. A major design consideration was blending the new construction with the home’s original colonial architecture, while introducing contemporary elements in the new addition. It was also essential to limit work within the existing footprint to meet the clients’ budget goals.
The new addition spans the length of the rear of the house and is constructed over a conditioned crawl space. It includes a vaulted reverse gable and shed roof structure, clad in Hardie panel board-and-batten siding with new Pella windows and doors. Outdoor living was enhanced with the addition of a Trex deck and flagstone patio. Inside, the addition houses a new great room, a master bedroom, a walk-in closet with secondary laundry, and a fully accessible master bathroom with a curbless shower.
Interior renovations included opening the kitchen and dining areas to connect seamlessly with the new addition. Additional windows were installed in the dining room and two lower-level bedrooms, while three existing bathroom windows were closed off. The kitchen layout was reconfigured by removing a redundant staircase to the lower level and expanding the refrigerator zone to accommodate a pantry and a larger refrigerator. Existing cabinetry and appliances were salvaged where possible, and new cabinetry, countertops, and a backsplash were added. The project also included updated electrical and plumbing systems for the addition and a new dedicated gas-forced air HVAC system.
Architectural drawings by Matthew Guenther of GC/a Architecture, Inc.
Project Year: 2024
Arlington VA 22205