Good interior design is pleasing to look at for sure—it can be beautiful and stylish, inventive and edgy, calming, or energetic. But good interior design is also so much more. It makes sense in that common sense sort of way that is all too uncommon. It is timeless yet functional. It is unassuming and cozy. It marries a structure’s interior and external environments with the needs and tastes of those using the space. It is the look of a Manolo Blahnik slingback with the comfort of an L.L. Bean slipper, the va-va-voom of an Aston Martin with the practicality of a mini-van. Each year the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) recognizes exceptional residential and commercial design on both the professional and student levels. This year’s award winners represent the best of the best, and ChesapeakeHome is honored to partner with ASID Maryland to say, “Job well done.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS
Cho Benn Holback-George Holback—First Place-Historic Commercial: Jim Rouce Visionary Center Expansion
Cho Benn Holback — George Holback
First Place, Historic Commercial
This museum expansion for The Jim Rouse Visionary Center adapts a former 1930s whiskey barrel warehouse into exhibit and multi-use space. To link the expansion with the existing museum, Cho Benn Holback developed a new master plan—the lower floor of the warehouse includes “Visionary Environments,” exhibit space for large sculpture; the second floor is the Jim Rouse Center, a hands-on classroom and exhibit environment dedicated to the late urban visionary; and the top floor was converted into the Center for Visionary Thought.
GTM Architects — Diane S. Taitt
First Place, Commercial
For this award-winning project, GTM Architects connected an existing 7th floor suite with a newly acquired 6th floor expansion suite for an international not-for-profit organization, creating a centralized two-story public space that embraces the diverse cultures the organization serves and employs. The centralized, curvaceous open space connecting the two floors is designed to foster a sense of community. Minimalist shades of white, glass, and stainless steel, accented with little decoration, allow the rich architectural and sculptural forms to shine.
Riley & Rohrer — Diane Rohrer and Paul Riley
First Place, Historic Commercial
This historic renovation required Riley & Rohrer to transform a 1940s shoe store into a formal yet comfortable and unpretentious restaurant/bar. In order to meet historic tax credit eligibility criteria, the structure’s mid-century modern character needed to be preserved. The project entailed full architectural and interior renovation of 8,000 square feet to create formal and casual dining as well as a bar/lounge area, display kitchen, food prep/storage area, dish zone, and office.
Horne International Designs, Inc. — C. Larry Horne, Anne Stokes, and Richard DeMesa
First Place, Showhouse
The goal for the Spring 2005 Design House in the Washington Design Center was to create a dining space inspired by the Art Modern period and that exemplifies the “Good Life” for a client with exquisite taste and sensibility. The project entailed transforming a windowless room devoid of any interesting architectural features into a sophisticated and appealing space in nine weeks. The inherent whimsical yet sophisticated characteristics of Art Deco allowed Horne International to create a contemporary version of informal luxury. The room evokes understated elegance through timeless furnishings, a color palette that soothes as well as excites, and accessories that complement rather than command the room.
HONORABLE MENTION
Design Line-Teresa Buchanan: Residential Honorable Mention
Design Line — Teresa Buchanan
Honorable Mention, Residential
This residential project was completed for a couple downsizing from a large colonial that had been their home for many years. The challenge for Design Line was to take a recently built, bland, contemporary townhouse and add architectural interest and quality finishes, creating an appropriate background for the couple’s traditional furniture. To achieve the desired results, all existing furniture was reupholstered. To give the fireplace greater importance and permit space for a recessed plasma television, a gas fireplace was moved nine inches into the room. A ledge terminating in the side of the fireplace, the dining area cabinetry, and a mirrored “window” help to break up the two-story expanse of drywall.
Louis Mazor, Inc. — James Jay Dillinger
Honorable Mention, Residential
Having started work on a design for the main family room of a new home during the preconstruction phase, James Jay Dillinger of Louis Mazor was fortunate to have every option still possible. With an approach to the room from the front hallway and the exterior pool, cabana, and tennis courts immediately in view, the space needed a strong personality. Red walls, a patterned axminster carpet, and a cast stone fireplace were established as focal points to distract from the view. Upholstered sofas and flanking ottomans face the fireplace and a wall unit with an enclosed television, creating an envelope for the occupants and a cozy feel for the large room. The warm colors of the room are prevalent throughout the home and were chosen as a unifying factor to create a visual flow through many spaces.
Cho Benn Holback — Diane Cho and Khanh Uong
Honorable Mention, Historic Commercial
The design program for Elder Health Care involved the renovation of an historic 1950s office building and an adjacent 1920s warehouse for a new corporate office and healthcare facility. The new facility incorporates ground level healthcare and exam rooms for ease of access and drop-off, while executive offices and financing are located above. A new mezzanine was added into the adjacent warehouse to take advantage of the double height space, and the two buildings were joined via a new pass through and bridge.
GTM Architects — Diane S. Taitt
Honorable Mention, Commercial
The design goal for GTM’s own office space was to create a collaborative work area that fosters self re-evaluation and unleashes human potential. Centralized support areas are located within an interior circular core, while open design studios and glass-wall offices on the perimeter ensure sufficient daylight penetration, essential for employee comfort. A rich palette of neutral colors and textures includes slate tiles, bamboo, cork, and concrete columns. The balance of material scale and proportion was meticulously evaluated as was efficiency and environmentally friendly, “green” interior finishes such as low VOC paints, bamboo walls and ceilings, and recycled strawboard millwork.
STUDENT AWARDS
AACC Architecture and Interior Design Department—First Place Student, Baltimore Symphony Showhouse
AACC Architecture and Interior Design Department
First Place, Showhouse
In competition for space with professional designers, the Anne Arundel Community College Student ASID Chapter submitted a “blind” entry to the 2004 Baltimore Symphony Showhouse. Eleven students collaborated on the design for the showhouse nursery, which was ultimately selected by the showhouse committee. Once selected, students handled the installation of the room, painted the walls and the trompe l’oeil ceiling, and fabricated all soft furnishings. The turn-of-the-century nursery evokes a fairy tale world filled with playful woodland creatures. Soft fabrics and delicious pastel colors create a soothing environment for both mother and child.
Carol Ervin, AACC — Design Student
First Place, Floor Design
This custom floor design for the recreation room of a home located on the scenic Severn River highlights the clients’ love of sailing and the water. Resilient tile materials were chosen for ease of implementation and low maintenance. The focal point of the floor is an oval medallion featuring the Chesapeake Bay’s Thomas Point Lighthouse. Custom borders, sailing flags, and sailboat designs are incorporated into the overall design.
Carol Ervin, AACC — Design Student
First Place, Furniture Design
A custom, heirloom quality armoire with a nautical motif was designed for clients that are avid sailors and world travelers and who needed storage for antique quilts, blankets, and linens collected from their travels. Wood inlay of the compass rose is a combination of African rosewood, European ash, and Pacific Maple. The piece itself is constructed of domestic and exotic hardwoods and veneers.
Tooba Roshan, AACC — Design Student
Honorable Mention, Residential Design
This design project for the entry hall and living room of a luxury condo overlooking the Potomac river needed to be contemporary, elegant, and fun with bright accents including a favorite color, orange. The two adjoining spaces needed function both for entry and relaxation, a space where the couple could read, watch television, and entertain. By incorporating a mix of contemporary furnishings and old-world materials and accents, the design becomes a delightful mix of cutting edge and comfort.
