Construction is wrapping up in Alexandria for a renovation and significant addition including a library and photography room along with a detached garage and art studio above.
Concurrently in Granite, construction and rehabilitation is finishing on the historic farmhouse with the last installation of interior finishes and exterior work.

Our Smithouse contractors are working diligently to remove part of the original stone walls on the interior of the historic farmhouse to open up to a larger family / living area.  When it comes to 200-year (ahem -pound) granite, heavy-lifting is morning routine.  Are you bootcamp ready?
 

 

Carri and Michael’s home renovation is being featured as a Guest Blog on Green Building Advisor!

The construction for the addition and renovation to our Gunpowder project is moving along quickly. Because the under slab Roxul mineral wool was a little difficult to source and had a longer lead time, our contractor got creative and “pre-installed” the StegoWrap vapor barrier to wrap under the sill plate.  We will go back and cut out the barrier to install slab insulation, tape back in the vapor barrier and pour the slab.

Framing is 2×6 walls with 3/4″ plywood sheathing, fully taped to provide our primary air barrier.  We are then installing 1-1/2″ of Roxul mineral wool, Tyvek and then furring strips.  This has been a terrific learning experience as we work with the contractor and project lead to find economical, smart ways to create a foam-free, well-sealed healthy envelope.

 

So thrilled that our team received the award for “Most Resilient Concept” at the bMORE Resilient Competition Reception last night!
Team: Carri Beer, Lili Mundroff, Michael Hindle, Jack Sullivan, Peter I. May Ph.D., Adam Ganser, and Katelin Posthuma.

Spiritual Renewal

A loss of spirit blankets the Baltimore region today in the wake of the disturbing events yesterday. Protest is a welcomed affirmation of process that our government requires to continue to serve its citizens. Violence and destruction in the close confines of our urban environment can only polarize opinion and escalate a heavy response to restore order.
What suffers is the spirit of thousands of dedicated city supporters who choose to love the urban environment and all it offers. What suffers are the hundreds of civic groups that form our neighborhoods and organize and fund our community events. What suffers is our sense of oneness in the cause to make Baltimore the best place to live.
The people of Baltimore City inhabit a complex structure of buildings and urban space created over the past 250 years. This embodied energy has created the physical city that we know today. We value this historic gift as we restore, renew and build new. This interconnected armature is what supports the civic functions of a civil society. This is our place and our home. Baltimore’s built environment has so much potential to offer all its citizens.
As Architects and Urbanists, we recognize that good design influences quality of life. We seek to understand and interpret this moment and rededicate our effort to build the framework that supports the spirit of Baltimore City and its people.
Rob

Rob Brennan, AIA
President, AIABaltimore
Meg

Meg Fairfax Fielding
President, Baltimore Architecture Foundation
Read full message here: http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dd563f8c70061de1797896c0b&id=3a02f1038d

and it is starting to look like a livable house!
check out the details of this “in progress” project.

the stay at home spa

We are very grateful to be featured in this year's Fine Homebuilding Kitchen + Bath issue for our addition and remodel of a home outside of Baltimore.  This issue is still out on newsstands, please grab your copy!