After half a decade of living and working in Japan, a family of five has returned to Washington DC for the next chapter in their lives. This new chapter is located within a historical five hundred square metres nine-bedroom home. Initially appearing as an ensemble of white walls and white stucco, the couple commissioned Colleen Healey Architecture’s considered eye to give the house a breath of fresh air and character for a place to call home.
Image by Jennifer Hughes. Source: Supplied
Image by Jennifer Hughes. Source: Supplied
Concerned with on the lack of natural light within the existing elements, Colleen Healey prioritised opening the interior spaces to add a sense of warmth within the historical estate. A selection of light-coloured pine and walnut were used throughout, whether it was to mark a transition between flooring or room to room, otherwise used as an accent piece or cabinetry – the subtle contrast of timber added warmth to the once dated interior. Where walls are white – dark timber beams run across the space for a sense of grounding and dimension to the space.
Image by Jennifer Hughes. Source: Supplied
Selected walls were removed to minimise the need for meandering within the footprint. Towards the rear of the house, a new kitchen and added dining room becomes a surprise when opening a set of bifold doors. Much like an accent beam in the existing lounge, the kitchen is framed by a scallop curve and timber lined ceiling for a welcoming touch. Counter tops are lined with marble to connect with the smooth concrete floor for a luxurious feel. While existing appeared as a construction of a sunroom, the new kitchen’s framing is refreshed in lighter pine and looks towards the newly revamped meadow designed by Lynley Ogilvie Landscape Design. At different times of the day, the window frames divided equally among the new extension becomes a harmonious frame for the new landscape. The new ensemble is akin to a romantic reminiscent of the Kakejiku (Japanese scroll paintings) at gathering spaces.
Image by Jennifer Hughes. Source: Supplied
Opposite the extension lies an existing garage that has been reworked with an additional level added above to accommodate visitors. Almost mirroring the existing and new materials of its close neighbour, the garage is bolstered by a new structure for honeysuckle to embrace. Above is a new sleeping quarters also enveloped in glass and pine to offer an illusion of lightness. As the new garage itself is light in colour, it becomes a lighting canvas for the meadow to illuminate when observing from the kitchen and dining area. Additionally, the added height to the structure compliments the house, thus becoming an alluring alleyway should one surface from the pool located at the rear of the property.
Image by Jennifer Hughes. Source: Supplied
As L.P. Hartly once noted ‘the past is a foreign country, they do things differently there’ – the Meadow House reflects this poetic notion. While the house signals the next stages of the family’s adventure, Colleen Healey gifts the house with notes of the architecture and the client’s past. While still allowing moments of new and carefully camouflaging what is considered the past – The Hidden Meadow is a beautiful homecoming architecture.
Image by Jennifer Hughes. Source: Supplied
This entry was written while the winter breeze graced Wurundjeri Country.