WIEDEMANN ARCHITECTS LLC
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301.652.4022
5714 Bradley Blvd
Bethesda MD 20814

Colorful Four Square


The original house was built in 1910 and had fallen into disrepair. The goal of the renovation was to preserve the character and integrity of the original house, while adding a substantial addition to accommodate a family of six. The challenge was to add an addition to the existing building, while preserving the perceived scale of the original house and, equally important, the scale of the neighborhood as a whole. Attention was paid to being sympathetic to the massing, scale, architectural style, and materials of the existing historic house.

The renovation included a new kitchen and family room on the first floor, a master bedroom suite and sitting room on the second floor, and a fifth bedroom/office on the third floor. The existing one-car garage was retained as a storage shed.

The addition is designed as a smaller hipped pavilion with a linking element that clearly distinguishes the original four-square from the addition. Organized around a side terrace oriented to the open southern side of the site, the addition preserves the original façade and appearance of the house from North Jackson Street, while creating an interior focus of the house to the side yard. The massing of the addition attempts to maintain the scale of the adjoining homes, fitting into the neighborhood, despite its considerable size.

Exterior colors were selected that were characteristic of the early twentieth century, when the house was originally constructed. The interior of the house was also restored, matching period interior trim and details, including using antique heart pine flooring to match the existing floors.

The new addition extends the original four-square, with subtle changes that distinguish old from new. The linking portion of the addition introduces a wider lap siding and wood panels that serve to separate the addition from the original four-square, while helping to diminish the mass of the addition. French doors in the link connect the new kitchen to the south facing terrace and side yard, situated under the shade of a venerable oak tree that was thoughtfully preserved.

The result is a seamless addition that is respectful of the original architecture and the scale of the Ashton Heights community, while accommodating the needs of a growing family of six.

Project team includes:

  • Contractor: Clairestone Construction
  • Photography: © Hoachlander Davis Photography LLC
Colorful Four Square
Colorful Four Square Side View and Deck
Colorful Four Square Rear View
Colorful Four Square Side Detailing
Colorful Four Square Deck Close Up
Colorful Four Square Front Entry
Colorful Four Square Family Room
Colorful Four Square Kitchen
Colorful Four Square Kitchen