Monumental Living

Located in the capital of the United States of America, these homeowners wanted a space that celebrated their country’s history and embraced the grandeur of nearby museums and memorials

Not too far away from the United States’ capital, these homeowners wanted to embrace the history and importance of Washington, D.C. Taking inspiration from the classical monuments such as Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson Memorial, as well as the homeowners longing for a vaulted roof form, Capital House is an epic yet cozy, regal yet understated slice of architecture.

Build over two-story’s, Capital House is clad in slabs of limestone on the bottom level, rising to extensive glazing on the second story, and finished with a curved roof floating above. With various vertical lines and strong, demanding pillars, the house emphasizes its scale and proportion. The private and contemplative courtyard respite includes a small bamboo garden and a covered lap pool while the contemporary lines of the home’s modern architecture are balanced by neutral tones and natural materials, such as stone and concrete.

A glass and steel vestibule demarcated by a stately oak door with bronze inlays welcomes you at the entrance to the home. After steeping through the door, one immediately arrives in the main spine of the home, with doors and windows leading out to the courtyard on the left, and the kitchen and office extending to the right. The extravagant and museum-like hallway lined with concrete columns, takes you to the formal dining and living rooms which are complemented by a large stone fireplace and a dramatic vaulted ceiling that appears to dissolve into the sky. Upstairs, crossing a bridge leads to the open master suite, with a series of additional bedrooms down the main hallway. The home’s interior incorporates several pieces from the owner’s collection of Civil Rights-inspired art and custom designed furnishings by Jim Olson, including tables and a library desk.

From grand concrete pillars, a dramatic faulted ceiling and substantial, spacious design, Capital House is its own museum which celebrates modern lines and monumental architecture.

Capital House

Location
Washington, D.C.

Project Team
Jim Olson, FAIA, Design Partner; Kevin Kudo-King, AIA, LEED® AP, Project Manager; Ming-Lee Yuan, Project Architect

For more information, visit OLSUN KUNDIG.