Abraham/Bjorkman Residence Renovation

Built in 1939, this brick house in Northeast Washington was rather clumsily extended in 1953 to front wall for living spaces. Unfortunately, the addition was poorly constructed, leading to structural deterioration, inconsistent internal temperatures, and profligate energy consumption.

The owners of their Rittenhouse Street house asked for the interior renovation and modification of ground level front wall into two story living spaces. The project’s principal goals included increasing energy efficiency, updating the aesthetics of the two-story addition, and enhancing the clients’ sense of the passage of time and the seasons through the experience of daylight in the space. Another consideration is the creation of more direct connections between the interior of ground floor and basement and the rear yard. The interior renovation included two and half level stairway, two bedrooms, master bedroom, dressing room, three and half baths, guest room, dining, living, and recreation area in the basement. The existing kitchen cabinets and island counter are remained but a new pantry will be installed.

The vertical corner surface of two-story extended wall which faces south is sheathed in Kalwall, a translucent, fiberglass-based cladding system with excellent thermal insulation properties. New, operable windows on the front wall and on a high ceiling of living on ground level and master bedroom on second floor facing south admit carefully controlled daylight and air. The result is a space that vividly traces the movement of the sun throughout the day and year.

The construction will begin in spring 2020.