On Karen Drive in Potomac, a custom "Prairie Mod" style home is underway, with completion slated for the end of the year. It features 3738 square feet above grade, and 5422 total heated square feet on a 17,850 sf lot.
Of the styles that we build, Prairie Mod (or Modern Prairie) is perhaps my favorite. The intersection of Modern style with Frank Lloyd Wright elements somehow just naturally appeals to my Chicago roots. It's asymetrical elevation, hipped roof, emphasis on horizontal lines and window groupings yield a visually appealing and masculine design.
On this particular home, the front porch is supported by three stone columns, with a complementary color palette for the remaining exterior surfaces. Of note, the porches will be finished in richly colored mahoganey. The low pitched roof also fits in nicely with the other homes in the neighborhood, primarily split level homes from the mid and late 60's.
We are currently working on getting the mechanical systems roughed-in, and interior air-sealing measures are complete. The windows are in, and we are ready for exterior trim and roof shingles.
Below is a shot from the back yard. The dramatic view is made possible by the topography of the land, which grades about 7 feet down from north to south. Surprisingly, county regulations would have allowed this home to be almost nine feet taller. Click here for the site plan.
Looks to be a great spot for a BBQ!
For me, one of the most satisfying parts of being involved in the building industry is seeing a finished home and then watching it mature. As each season goes by, the landscaping grows in, interiors & exteriors are personalized and the house turns into a home.
I had my first taste of home building back in the late '80s when I worked three summers as a mason's tender for Don and Frank Pilson, bricklayers from Mt. Airy, MD. We built chimneys and brick facades for Pulte developments in Olney and Germantown, along with custom work all over the county. It was absolutely back-breaking work, but at the end of day, you saw the fruits of your labor.
Now my role at Bethesda Bungalows (fortunately) doesn't include much manual labor, but I still get a strong sense of satisfaction when I drive by a project that I was involved in. One particular home on Burning Tree in Bethesda stands out. Set atop a majestic lot, the home is a faithful "Greene and Greene" bungalow. We completed it last year, and now that the grass is growing and the fence is up and the pool is in, it is really starting to come into it's own.
Thanks go out to Pam Sarris, who provided much consultation on the interiors, and my good friend, Roger Miles, who supervised the construction.
Happy Fourth of July everyone!
