Project Description
When renovating this
classic capital estate, architect Stephen Vanze sought to modernize the home
for its current owners while remaining respectful of original architect John Russell Pope’s design. First built in
1932 for the Folger family, this home on two acres in Washington, D.C., was
designed for entertaining, with a large circular driveway, an expansive rear terrace,
and a pine-paneled reception area.
The original home suffered from the
financial burden brought on by the Great Depression and later, from ill-suited
additions. When it was sold in 2012, the new owners, a couple with three small children,
embraced the opportunity to transform the house into one suitable for family
living.
On the first floor, Vanze and Zantzinger
restored the main rooms and redesigned the primary stair to suit the entry
sequence. They removed an existing bedroom on the second floor to make room for
an expanded master suite and a new bedroom and bathroom for the children. The
enlarged attic now functions as an in-law suite, while the spirit of Pope’s design
lives on through the restored gardens, enlarged terraces, and a new pool
house.
See more winners of the 2015 Remodeling Design Awards.