Page 28 - ArchDC_Spring 2020

Front façade of the Holbrook Lane Residence.
Note the small bay window off the kitchen at right.

A Light Touch
A Light Touch All photos © Anice Hoachlander, except as noted

Respectful Renovation Brings a

Modernist House Up to Date

by G. Martin Moeller, Jr., Assoc. AIA

Less than a mile from the principal crossroads of Potomac, Virginia enclave famous for its refined modernist houses, which
Maryland, a suburb known for its palatial and often garish was designated a National Historic District in 2013. He later
residences in a panoply of styles, stands a cluster of relatively co-founded the firm of Cross and Adreon, which completed the
unassuming modern houses. A closer look reveals, however, Holbrook Lane houses in the 1970s.
that these are far from run-of-the-mill, builder-grade dwellings. The owners of one of the Cross and Adreon houses initially
Various subtle yet intriguing details and a few larger design approached Balodemas Architects with a very specific request:
gestures add great interest to these modest houses and provide to design a screen wall to divide their living and dining rooms.
hints as to their pedigree. The scope of the project soon grew to include a renovation of the
Many of these houses in Potomac’s Holbrook Lane dated kitchen. Eventually, the owners decided to take advantage
neighborhood were designed by Eason Cross, an architect who of the opportunity to update the entire main living floor.
had studied under Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius at Harvard “This was a spec house,” noted project architect Veena
University and had worked in the office of Charles Goodman, Shahsavarian, AIA, “but it was an interesting spec house. All of
one of the Washington area’s most prominent architects of the the houses [by Eason Cross] are very thoughtfully sited, with
mid-20th century. While an associate in Goodman’s office, Cross shared driveways—really situated around nature. We wanted to
was one of the lead designers for Hollin Hills, the northern keep the design centered on that connection to the outside.”

26 A LIGHT TOUCH