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ontario 301, washington, d.c.

architectural interiors / grand

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ontario 301, washington, d.c.

architectural interiors / grand

  • The living room is oriented toward views of the Potomac River and Key Bridge.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD79E%2Etmp_tcm48-748860.jpg

    The living room is oriented toward views of the Potomac River and Key Bridge.

    600

    Paul Warchol

    The living room is oriented toward views of the Potomac River and Key Bridge.

  • A V-shaped charcoal wall separates the kitchen/living area and the master bedroom behind it.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD79F%2Etmp_tcm48-748868.jpg

    A V-shaped charcoal wall separates the kitchen/living area and the master bedroom behind it.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    A V-shaped charcoal wall separates the kitchen/living area and the master bedroom behind it.

  • A walnut wall panel with ribbed graining unifies the living room, kitchen, and wine room beyond.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A0%2Etmp_tcm48-748877.jpg

    A walnut wall panel with ribbed graining unifies the living room, kitchen, and wine room beyond.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    A walnut wall panel with ribbed graining unifies the living room, kitchen, and wine room beyond.

  • An electrostatic glass ribbon in the V-shaped wall can go opaque or clear, giving a sense of the space beyond.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A1%2Etmp_tcm48-748885.jpg

    An electrostatic glass ribbon in the V-shaped wall can go opaque or clear, giving a sense of the space beyond.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    An electrostatic glass ribbon in the V-shaped wall can go opaque or clear, giving a sense of the space beyond.

  • Project plan before.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A2%2Etmp_tcm48-748893.jpg

    Project plan before.

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    Courtesy Robert M. Gurney

    Project plan before.

  • Project plan after.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A3%2Etmp_tcm48-748901.jpg

    Project plan after.

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    Courtesy Robert M. Gurney

    Project plan after.

  • Axonometric projection.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A4%2Etmp_tcm48-748909.jpg

    Axonometric projection.

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    Courtesy Robert M. Gurney

    Axonometric projection.

  • The wine room, in an alcove behind the kitchen, is fitted with a translucent panel lit from above and behind. The bottles rest on aluminum rods.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A5%2Etmp_tcm48-748917.jpg

    The wine room, in an alcove behind the kitchen, is fitted with a translucent panel lit from above and behind. The bottles rest on aluminum rods.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    The wine room, in an alcove behind the kitchen, is fitted with a translucent panel lit from above and behind. The bottles rest on aluminum rods.

  • Bursts of color and floor-to-ceiling glass minimizes the pre-existing low, horizontal environment.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A6%2Etmp_tcm48-748925.jpg

    Bursts of color and floor-to-ceiling glass minimizes the pre-existing low, horizontal environment.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    Bursts of color and floor-to-ceiling glass minimizes the pre-existing low, horizontal environment.

  • A built-in desk in the master suite makes the most of limited space.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A7%2Etmp_tcm48-748933.jpg

    A built-in desk in the master suite makes the most of limited space.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    A built-in desk in the master suite makes the most of limited space.

  • Throughout the apartment, clear and translucent glass unifies and defines the flowing floor plan.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A8%2Etmp_tcm48-748941.jpg

    Throughout the apartment, clear and translucent glass unifies and defines the flowing floor plan.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    Throughout the apartment, clear and translucent glass unifies and defines the flowing floor plan.

  • Planar walls bring formal clarity to the plan.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpD7A9%2Etmp_tcm48-748949.jpg

    Planar walls bring formal clarity to the plan.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    Planar walls bring formal clarity to the plan.

  • The home's stately, Second-Empire-style street elevation is barely changed.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp992%2Etmp_tcm48-400037.jpg

    The home's stately, Second-Empire-style street elevation is barely changed.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    The home's stately, Second Empire–style street elevation is barely changed.

  • Gurney enlarged the 1876 home's rooms to better suit them to the client's modern art collection. He kept the original woodwork profiles within the existing footprint.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp993%2Etmp_tcm48-400046.jpg

    Gurney enlarged the 1876 home's rooms to better suit them to the client's modern art collection. He kept the original woodwork profiles within the existing footprint.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    Gurney enlarged the 1876 home's rooms to better suit them to the client's modern art collection. He kept the original woodwork profiles within the existing footprint.

  • A new kitchen added onto the back of the house received modern detailing, distinguishing it from the older portions of the building.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp995%2Etmp_tcm48-400064.jpg

    A new kitchen added onto the back of the house received modern detailing, distinguishing it from the older portions of the building.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    A new kitchen added onto the back of the house received modern detailing, distinguishing it from the older portions of the building.

  • The sleek addition vastly improves the project's connection with its rear yard.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp991%2Etmp_tcm48-400028.jpg

    The sleek addition vastly improves the project's connection with its rear yard.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    The sleek addition vastly improves the project's connection with its rear yard.

  • The architects saved a couple of the original fireplaces and had them faithfully restored.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp997%2Etmp_tcm48-400082.jpg

    The architects saved a couple of the original fireplaces and had them faithfully restored.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    The architects saved a couple of the original fireplaces and had them faithfully restored.

  • A modern, marble-and-steel master bath.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp999%2Etmp_tcm48-400100.jpg

    A modern, marble-and-steel master bath.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    A modern, marble-and-steel master bath.

  • White walls and dark floors work with the specially designed lighting to show off the art to its best advantage.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp998%2Etmp_tcm48-400091.jpg

    White walls and dark floors work with the specially designed lighting to show off the art to its best advantage.

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    White walls and dark floors work with the specially designed lighting to show off the art to its best advantage.

  • Floor plans of the house before renovation.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp99A%2Etmp_tcm48-400109.jpg

    Floor plans of the house before renovation.

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    Courtesy Robert M. Gurney

    Floor plans of the house before renovation.

  • Floor plans of the house after renovation.

    http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmp996%2Etmp_tcm48-400073.jpg

    Floor plans of the house after renovation.

    600

    Courtesy Robert M. Gurney

    Floor plans of the house after renovation.

  • http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpC5A1%2Etmp_tcm48-275400.jpg

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    In the kitchen, two sliding laminated-glass panels hide doublehung windows.

  • http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpC5AB%2Etmp_tcm48-275285.jpg

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    A limited palette of seamless materials give this apartment an orderly coherence.

  • http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpC595%2Etmp_tcm48-275377.jpg

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

  • http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/RA070501104H12_tcm48-1052935.jpg

    600

    Courtesy Robert M. Gurney, FAIA

  • http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/RA070501104H13_tcm48-1052943.jpg

    600

    Courtesy Robert M. Gurney, FAIA

    After

  • http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpC598%2Etmp_tcm48-275386.jpg

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

    A limited palette of seamless materials give this apartment an orderly coherence. The fireplace wall is fitted with an 8-foot aluminum panel that conceals a TV.

  • http://www.residentialarchitect.com/Images/tmpC599%2Etmp_tcm48-275393.jpg

    600

    Maxwell MacKenzie

robert m. gurney, faia, alexandria, va.

When it came time to liberate her dark, disorienting apartment in a Beaux-Arts building, this client—a psychiatrist—prescribed an orderly, austere environment, perhaps as an antidote to the daily hazards of her practice. For Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, that meant stripping it to the structure and stacks. The new living spaces are strikingly clear-minded, thanks to a linear floor plan and a reductive palette of white walls, aluminum accents, stainless steel countertops, translucent-glass room dividers, limestone floors, and wenge paneling and cabinetry.

Rather than being cold and clinical, however, the apartment glows with light. A floating translucent-glass panel at one end of the living area and three panels at the other diffuse the intense natural light and add a sense of mystery about what lies beyond. In order to visually connect the entry and kitchen, Gurney designed a curved ceiling plane that also hides the obligatory ductwork.

The jury applauded the consistent, comprehensive interior. “The details are elegant, and a common thread runs through them,” said one judge. “It's integrated perfectly.” Gurney says his client's program inspired the everything-in-perfect-place-all-the-time look. “The apartment looks like the photo every day,” he says.

principal in charge: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA
project architect: Brian Tuskey, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA
general contractor: Richard Hazboun, Added Dimensions, Takoma Park, Md.
interior designer: Thérèse Baron Gurney, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors, Washington, D.C.
project size: 1,800 square feet
construction cost: Withheld
photography: Maxwell MacKenzie