Priorities
Transform the home’s interior from dark spaces into light-filled rooms; incorporate sustainable design elements; create a greater sense of spatial connection
Solutions
The concept to “connect earth to sky” in this century-old row house was ably achieved by moving a staircase and crowning it with a new skylight.
The stairwell’s lack of solid walls — steel cables separate the space and extend to the metal frame above — allows light into the surrounding spaces. The overall effect is clean and simple, making better use of the floor plan. The house is also rich with sustainable design concepts including a tankless water heater, no-VOC paint, foam insulation, and more.
Judges’ comments
The judges were impressed by this clever design — how much simply moving the staircase benefitted the entire house, and noted how clean and well-executed the remodel is. —Mark A. Newman, senior editor, REMODELING.
Project Team
Designer: Janet Bloomberg, Kube Architecture, Washington, D.C.
Contractor: Mike Madden, Madden Corp., Rockville, Md.
Spec List
Bathroom plumbing fittings: Dornbracht; Hansgrohe; Jado; Hansa
Bathroom plumbing fixtures: Duravit; Kohler; Neptune
Countertops: Caesarstone
Dishwasher: Fisher + Paykel
Fireplace: HearthSense
Hardware: Omnia; Haefele; Sugatsune; Doug Mockett
HVAC: Carrier
Kitchen plumbing fittings: Hansgrohe
Lighting fixtures: Illuminations
Oven: Thermador
Paints/stains: Benjamin Moore
Range: Thermador
Refrigerator: Sub-Zero
Windows: WeatherShield