Page 40 - Spring_2019

ArchDC Spring 2019.qxp_Spring 2019 2/20/19 5:15 PM Page 38

Kitchen.

walk so that one could occupy the double-height space and not just had to be made,” Loosle-Ortega said. “They asked good questions
look down into it. The balcony now is a reading area that enjoys the about our design decisions, and allowed us to work creatively.
views out to the forest from multiple points, and the double-height They weren’t afraid to try new things, such as the black ceiling, and
space is more sculpted as opposed to just a square void.” they trusted us throughout the process. In their travels, they were
Other changes to the second floor focused on the master suite. always referencing modern design moves, details, or materials that
A key move was reversing the position of the suite’s bedroom and they saw in hotels or restaurants that caught their eye. So they
adjoining sitting room. As built, the master bed’s headboard shared were excited about their home being similar.”
a wall with the tub, toilet, and sink in one of the children’s bedrooms, As a result of the renovation, “a house built in 1985—but
a situation that sends the imagination in unwanted directions. looking like it was 1885, which is typical of Potomac and developer
Reversing the positions of the master bedroom and sitting room not homes—is now more appropriate to its site,” Loosle-Ortega said.
only addressed that issue, but gave the master bedroom a better corner “The clients are very happy and proud of their home—we’ve been
location that is closer to the suite’s walk-in closet and bathroom. there numerous times for dinner, and they’ve hosted friends
“The sitting room is also now a buffer between the master there. They enjoy showing it off, and she loves her kitchen and
bedroom and the loft space,” Loosle-Ortega said. “It can be pantry space.”
opened to the loft space, enjoying views out, or closed off by glass KUBE’s work for the clients is continuing. “We’re currently
sliding doors for privacy either from the bedroom area or the loft designing a new rear deck and landscape, and we’re also going to
area.” In addition, “the glass in front of the master closet allows for have an orchard in front of the house,” Loosle-Ortega said. “The
views from the bedroom [through the loft space] out to the exterior. owner wants to be able to harvest fruits and give back to the
So in a real sense, the owners can enjoy the views out from anywhere community. The history of Potomac is that it was cultivated land,
in the house, which was one of their requests.” and she feels it’s important to make use of all the open space in the
The clients “were very good to work with—they traveled a lot area, rather than just surrounding the house with huge patches of
for work, but were able to respond to us quickly when decisions grass that soak up natural resources and give nothing back.”

38 PLANES OF EXISTENCE