Stylish Getaway Homes
Tapped to design a modern vacation home in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia, Jonathan Kuhn paid careful attention to the obstacles and opportunities of the site. “We situated the structure at the bottom of a hill in the only level area of the property,” he recounts. Inspired by the rugged, wooded surroundings, the architecture “took on a prairie style emphasizing simplicity, integration with nature and horizontal massing that reflects the setting.”
The three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath, single-story home comprises three volumes. The double-height central volume houses a light-filled entry that connects the volume holding the public spaces to the wing that contains the bedrooms. A screened porch links the dining room to the deck, which boasts a hot tub.
“A peaceful and tranquil retreat is set within the wooded and rugged surroundings of nature’”
—Jonathan Kuhn Jonathan
Shou Sugi Ban wood siding and micro-concrete flooring are among the materials that maintain a low-maintenance connection to nature. Says Kuhn, “The hill almost cradles the house, protecting it from the elements while providing a beautiful backdrop.”
Kuhn Architect • kuhnarchitect.com
Stylish Getaway Homes
The owners of a log cabin on Deep Creek Lake embraced their abode’s characteristic rustic exterior—but they were less enamored of its dark interior spaces. The fireplace obstructed expansive lake views while heavy timbers and traditional sliding doors also created a distraction. The owners sought a brighter, cleaner aesthetic that would reflect their preference for modern design.
“The best renovations make the greatest impact in the fewest number of moves,” observes project architect and principal William Kirwan. “Relocating the fireplace to an adjacent wall opened up the vista while providing an opportunity to significantly increase the amount and height of the glazing on the lake view-facing wall.” Folding-glass wall systems maximize the views, opening the interior to the deck and lake beyond.
“The owners sought to reflect their preference for modern design in their lakefront getaway.”
—William Kirwan, AIA, LEED AP
The log main stair was rebuilt in steel with reclaimed white oak treads, eliminating a clunky landing that had blocked sightlines. Exterior and interior timber walls were sheathed in painted drywall; timber ceilings were painted to match, brightening the spaces while retaining the original timber construction. Heavy timber railings inside and out were replaced in steel with cable rails that enhance the views.
Project Highlights
MUSE | KIRWAN ARCHITECTS • musekirwan.com
A number of regional chapters of the American Institute of Architects honored the best in local architecture during the 2021 AIA Excellence in Design Awards. The following pages list residential winners in AIA’s Northern Virginia, Maryland, Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore and Potomac Valley chapters; a sampling of award-winning projects is pictured. For a complete list of chapter winners, visit homeanddesign.com. Projects are also on view at aianova.org/DA21 and mdaiaawards.secure-platform.com
CITATION
MERIT
HONOR
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AWARD
RESIDENTIAL HONORABLE MENTION
EXCELLENCE
MERIT
JURORS’ CITATION
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
MERIT
HONOR
HONOR, RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION
MERIT, RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION
HONOR/PRESERVATION, RESIDENTIAL RENOVATION/ADDITION
CITATION/SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, RESIDENTIAL NEW CONSTRUCTION
Each year, a panel of building-industry professionals chooses nominees for the Great American Living Awards. Sponsored by the Northern Virginia Building Industry Association, the Washington Metropolitan Sales & Marketing Council and the Maryland Building Industry Association, the GALA Awards—held last October at the Hyatt at Reston Town Center—honor excellence in new-home architecture, interior design, sales and marketing in the Mid-Atlantic region. The 2021 entries filled 48 categories; those pertaining to architecture and design included single- and multi-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, and custom-home and remodeling projects. Following is a list of Grand Award winners in residential design, architecture and custom building.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Home of the Year—The Logan at Quarry Springs, Bethesda, MD. Wormald Homes
Custom Home of the Year—1437 Cedar Avenue, McLean, VA. Clear View Homes; WCRA
Community of the Year‑—Robinson Landing, Alexandria, VA. EYA LLC; JBG SMITH; Mitsui Fudosan America; KTGY Architecture + Planning; Shalom Baranes Associates
Innovative Land Planning—Robinson Landing, Alexandria, VA. EYA LLC; Shalom Baranes Associates; KTGY Architecture + Planning; Mitsui Fudosan America; JBG SMITH
FreeStanding Club House—Bayside Fenwick Island, Fenwick Island, DE.
Carl M. Freeman Companies; AdsIntelligence Marketing
Outstanding Living Space or Architectural Feature—Cabana at Cornwell Farm, Great Falls, VA.
James McDonald Associate Architects
Outstanding Implementation of Innovative Design Concepts Detached/Attached—Chateau De Riviere, Great Falls, VA. The Building Group; Grow Landscapes
Green Building—Mid-Century Modern, Arlington, Arlington, VA. Arlington Designer Homes Construction LLC
Detached Home (lots under 7,000 square feet)
Under $300,000—Brooke in Evershire North, Waynesboro, VA. KTGY; Atlantic Builders
$600,001-$700,000—Atwood at Tapestry, Clarksburg, MD. KTGY; Miller and Smith
Over $850,000—Parkhurst at Willowcreek, Dayton, MD. Toll Brothers; Lessard Design, Inc.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE Detached Home (lots 7,000 square feet and over)
$1,000,001-$1,400,000—The Robey on Homesite 8 at Miller’s Reserve, Purcellville, VA. Evergreene Homes
Over $5,000,000—Chateau De Riviere, Great Falls, VA. The Building Group; James McDonald Associate Architects
Under $400,000—The Chesapeake at Orchard Hill, Spotsylvania, VA. Atlantic Builders
$400,001-$500,000—Tidewater Slab at Kindleton, Lewes, DE. KTGY; Lennar Corporation
$500,001-$600,000—Southport Basement at Kindleton, Lewes, DE. KTGY; Lennar Corporation
$850,001-$1,000,000—The Monroe at Meadows at Rose Hill, Alexandria, VA. The Christopher Companies; Moment Engineering + Design
Over $1,400,000—Palatine at the Windmill Collection, North Potomac, MD. KTGY; Toll Brothers
Attached Home
Over $850,000—The Logan at Quarry Springs, Bethesda, MD. Wormald Homes
$400,001-$500,000—Norwood at Watson’s Glen, Millersville, MD. KTGY; Tri Pointe Homes
$500,001-$600,000—Bluemont at Carter’s Mill by Del Webb, Haymarket, VA. PulteGroup
$600,001-$700,000—Sydney at Crown East, Gaithersburg, MD. PulteGroup
$700,001-$850,000—Willard at the Braddock, Chantilly, VA. KTGY; Toll Brothers
Multi-Family
New Construction—Robinson Landing, Alexandria, VA. EYA LLC; JBG SMITH ; Mitsui Fudosan America; KTGY Architecture + Planning; Shalom Baranes Associates
Mixed-Use—Juniper, Columbia, MD. CBG Building Company; The Howard Hughes Corporation; The Preston Partnership
Condominium or Apartment Unit—Walney at the Fairfax Collection, Chantilly, VA. KTGY; Toll Brothers
CUSTOM BUILDING
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE Custom Home, Single Lot
3,000-5,000 square feet—Walker Road, Great Falls, VA. James McDonald Associate Architects
5,001-7,000 square feet—Arnon Chapel Road, Great Falls, VA. James McDonald Associate Architects
Over 7,000 square feet—Cornwell Farm, Great Falls, MD. James McDonald Associate Architects
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE Custom or Customized Infill Home
5,001-7,000 square feet—1437 Cedar Avenue, McLean, VA. Clear View Homes; WCRA Under 3,000 square feet—OPaL’s Tiny House, Washington, DC. OPaL, LLC
3,000-5,000 square feet—6525 32nd Street, Falls Church, VA. James McDonald Associate Architects
Over 7,000 square feet—1016 Langley Hill Drive, McLean, VA. Brush Arbor Home Construction; WCRA
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE Renovations or Additions Over $1,000,000—
OPaL’s Historic Renovation in Cleveland Park, Washington, DC. OPaL, LLC
“There is something to be said for collecting as you go along, but unless your style is naturally eclectic, I recommend treating a vintage object as you would a piece of art. Allow it to inform the room rather than trying to make it work with an already established visual rhythm.”
—Cathy Purple Cherry, AIA, CAS, LEED AP, Purple Cherry Architects
“Combine items in unexpected ways, like antiques in a modern vignette. Blend texture and finishes and incorporate different heights and scale. Edit yourself and don’t fill every inch of space. It is most meaningful to incorporate objects from your home, family or travels.”
— Melanie Whittington, Whittington Design Studio
“The clients’ personalities should come through in their accessories. I first shop clients’ homes, building on what they have before purchasing items that mesh with what they already love.”
—Laura Hildebrandt, IFDA, NKBA, Interiors by LH, LLC
“Too many items in a small space means you don’t see the individual pieces; you just see clutter. Accessories should reflect clients’ interests and personalities. A mix of old and new is always good. More contemporary pieces feel fresh, while antiques feel warm and personal.”
—Jamie Merida, Jamie Merida Interiors
“We accessorize with unexpected finds, mixing in clients’ sentimental belongings with appropriate scale. We avoid incorporating too many pairs or triples of similar objects.”
—Samantha Sopp-Wittwer and Courtney Griffin, Interior Concepts
Bonnie Ammon, Bonnie Ammon Interiors
Barbara Hawthorn, Barbara Hawthorn Interiors
Laura Fox, Laura Fox Interior Design, LLC
