This postwar 1960’s split level home posed several challenges to the design of its 2004 renovation and addition. The   owners longed for a modern addition with more living space and a private master suite that simultaneously embraced the lush rear garden. A narrow lot ruled out a lateral addition, while a direct extension to the rear threatened the picturesque backyard.

The design team found a solution in a narrow, two-story ‘lever’ that encloses the backyard while providing views and privacy for the Master Suite. A tower at the front of the house marks the entry and creates a light well. The master suite punctuates the end of the addition, embracing the garden and creating an intimate courtyard.

The Smokey Joe House derives its name from mid-century backyard cultural icons: the sprinkler, the kiddie pool, and the Weber Grill. With reverence for the existing house, the addition adds its own contemporary piece to the legacy of the residential suburban paradise, creating a dialogue between the original “Weber Grill” and the contemporary “Smokey Joe.”

2007 Grand Award
Custom Home

2007 Citation, American Institute of Architects
Maryland Chapter