Meridian Homes, Inc. Photo by Bob Nardo.
And since each family’s needs differ, designers and builders are challenged to be creative, customizing each unique project to each individual need. Homes built on speculation offer additional challenges as they must appeal to the needs of many families yet also feel specialized to individual needs. While custom homebuilders face these issues every day as they rebuild, reorganize, and add on to existing homes or create entirely new structures, they are only recognized for their achievements once each year. Here, ChesapeakeHome is pleased to present a selection of the Maryland-National Capital Building Industry Association’s (MNCBIA) 2006 award winning custom homes.
Meridian Homes, Inc.
Gold Award Winner:
Custom Home 5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft.
Architect: Custom Design Architecture
Photography: Bob Narod
Meridian built this Bethesda home, in part, to highlight the large high-elevation lot that surrounds it. Features such as interior archways; a 2-story foyer; 3 French doors in the dining room that lead to a mahogany covered porch; a private library with custom built-in bookshelves, a cathedral ceiling, wainscoting, crown molding, and a large window overlooking the yard; and a family room with a coffered ceiling complement and correspond to the magnificence of the land on which the home is sited. Upstairs, the master bedroom’s French doors open to the back yard allowing the homeowners to be a part of the landscape their home was designed to enhance.
BOWA Builders, Inc.
Gold Award Winner: Custom Whole House Renovation
Architect: Mark Kramer
Photography: Bob Narod
To create a larger, more richly detailed home for these Bethesda homeowners, BOWA Builders maximized buildable space on the tight corner lot and added a new kitchen, eating area, piano room, master bedroom, dressing, and bath area, sun room and porch, home theater, exercise room, and 4-car garage. Because renovations brought the house within a 1/2 inch of building restrictions, BOWA minimized the size and expanse of the structure by altering the rooflines and relocated the front entrance since the garage had to be placed in the front of the house to account for the site’s shape. The new stone and stucco exterior adds warmth and drama, and the renovated home is now the perfect setting for the homeowners and their extensive car, wine, and album collections.
Sandy Spring Builders, LLC
Gold Award Winner: Custom Whole House Renovation
Architect: Scott Broughton Architects
Photography: Michael Kress Photography
Sandy Spring Builders, LLC created this mountain-style home for a Potomac family who wanted a residence like those they saw while visiting Colorado. The exterior of the home is clad in materials from the United States and Canadian West, while the interiors are given a cozy appearance with modest ceiling heights, tinted plaster walls, distressed new pine floors, timbers, and timber trim. Unique features of the home include a saltwater aquarium dividing the foyer and the living room; a kosher kitchen; and a great room, which can seat 50 people.
Rosenthal Homes
Gold Award Winner: Contemporary Custom Home
Architect: Shinberg.Levinas
Photography: Bob Narod
By working with Rosenthal Homes, this Potomac family was able to achieve a striking custom residence that also considers their religious observations, philanthropic activities, and love of nature. This contemporary home features an open floor plan, a series of 5 by 10 foot windows in the front and the back of the structure, clear alder millwork, trim, and doors, and a 2-story library that overlooks the great room. The home office has a separate entrance and powder room, and is used for scholarly meetings. All appliances and lighting are automated for convenience on the Sabbath, and a completely kosher kitchen is located on the main level. On the lower level, a large recreation room and an additional kitchen provide a space for holidays, catered functions, and fundraisers.
BOWA Builders, Inc.
Gold Award Winner: New or Remodeled Kitchen
Architect: Barnes Vanze Architects
Photography: Bob Narod
In collaboration with interior designer Ernesto Santalla, BOWA Builders renovated and added onto the kitchen of this Tudor-style home to modernize the space, improve access to a deck, and create a butler’s pantry and a vestibule for the clients cherished art collection. An addition was constructed to create a new breakfast room, and Santalla developed an interior design scheme that blended the traditional exterior with a more contemporary interior de´cor. The renovation called for precision to accommodate the German-engineered aluminum and wood veneer Bulthaup cabinets, an aluminum island countertop, and Caesarstone countertops. The finished project offers not only an updated kitchen and de´cor but also a bright gallery space for art.
Wood Visions Construction, Inc.
Gold Award Winner: Traditional Custom Home
Architect: Rill & Decker
Photography: David Glazier
Wood Visions Construction, Inc. built this adaptive European-style home to complement its elevated location. The exterior has a stone base, real stucco walls, a slate roof, and copper gutters, and the driveway is laid in Hanover pavers. Inside, natural limestone and vintage walnut floors, arched stucco openings, painted panel detailing, mahogany built-ins, stained rustic beams, organic wrought iron stair railings, and earth-toned colors continue the European feel of the home. The homeowners enjoy their hilltop views from French balconies at prominent windows, a front porch with arched openings, a rear pool terrace, and a screened porch.
Studio Z Design Concepts
Gold Award Winner: Transitional Custom Home
Builder: Patrick K. Keating & Company
Photography: Stu Estler
When a Chevy Chase family wanted a timeless home on a hilly infill site, they turned to Studio Z Design Concepts who developed a plan for a traditional exterior with an open up-to-date, contemporary interior. From the front door, a central gallery hallway leads through the home to a beautiful backyard pool and pergola. A sunken living room features detailed crown and chair moldings as well as tall windows that emphasize the front elevation. The focal point of the home’s gracious kitchen is the large, family-sized island complete with a sink, dishwasher, and plenty of storage. The impressive exterior evokes a combined bungalow and arts and crafts style, and features varied classic rooflines and a stone and cedar facade. Not just pretty to look at, the resulting home is perfect for family gatherings and and entertaining.
Block Builders, Inc.
Gold Award Winner: Custom Addition to Existing Home
Architect: GTM Architects
Photography: Ken Wyner Photography
To create more space for accommodating a six-person family that likes to entertain, Block Builders, Inc. added 3 finished levels and altered the existing floor plan of this Victorian home. In all, Block Builders added a new kitchen, breakfast area, family room, and wet bar to the main level, converted existing space into a wine room, coat closet, pantry, and powder room, and added a master bedroom suite and bath upstairs. Renovations to the existing 2nd floor created a hall bathroom and a laundry room, while basement renovations provide the family children with a full bathroom, exercise room, storage room, and recreation room. Outside, the addition replicates the style of the existing home and features a new wrap-around porch.
Jeffco Remodeling LLC
Gold Award Winner: Custom Addition to Existing Home
Architect: Bruce A. Rich Architects
Photography: Tom Easton and Bruce Rich
To balance this asymetrical Avenel home, Jeffco Remodeling, LLC added a new wing that includes a master suite, rear porch, deck, mudroom, bedroom, powder room, and office. Locally made matching brick as well as arched windows and bays tie the addition into the original structure. Barber and Ross supplied the same wood windows that were used in the initial building. A new cedar roof was installed over the entire house, including the addition. Jeffco also remodeled the staircase, installed custom cabinetry, refinished the floors, and added interior trim to further update and enhance the existing spaces in the home.
Meridian Homes, Inc.
Gold Award Winner: Custom Home 3,500 to 5,000 sq. ft.
Architect: Sutton-Yantis Associates
Photography: Bob Narod
By working with Meridian Homes, Inc., this Bethesda family was able to build a traditional home that fits in with older homes in the neighborhood and provides plenty of space for the family and for entertaining. On the first floor, an open family room, kitchen living room, and dining room create flow, while a study offers privacy. The focal point of the first floor is the family room, which features built-ins and a fireplace surrounded by flagstone. The second floor includes a master suite, three bedrooms, and two bathrooms, while the lower level offers a recreation room, a bar, a guest bedroom, and a full bath.
Sandy Spring Builders, LLC
Gold Award Winner: Custom Home 7,500 to 12,500 sq. ft.
Architect: Sutton-Yantis Architects
Photography: Michael Kress Photography
Sandy Spring Builders, LLC helped a young Bethesda family create a large custom residence integrating a state-of-the-art home automation system without sacrificing a warm, cozy home-like feeling for size. While the spacious first floor includes a living room, octagonal library, kitchen, breakfast room, and family room, the space is broken up and made less imposing with details such as coffered ceilings, entryways with transoms, beams, cornices, and counters, built-ins, and wainscoting. Upstairs, Sandy Spring built an informal family gathering room where the children play and will eventually do homework. This luxury residence provides plenty of comfortable space, both for new technologies and for a growing family.
P. F. Summers
Gold Award Winner: Custom Home 3,500 sq. ft.
Designer: Paul F. Summers
Photography: Jax Photography
Located on a beautiful wooded lot overlooking Chase Creek, this Annapolis home combines colonial features with coastal architecture. Exterior detailings include an arched entry and cedar shingles as well as brick and cultured stone cladding. To capitalize on the property’s stunning views, the rear elevation of the home was designed with expansive windows, a screened porch, and a second story balcony. Inside, the open floor plan on the first level features a masonry fireplace, custom built-ins, and wide-plank Brazilian cherry, a luxury kitchen, and a private master suite. The second level of the home includes two additional bedrooms and an art studio overlooking the water.
THE 2006 MNCBIA CUSTOM BUILDER AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
Block Builders
blockbuilders.com or 301-652-8566
Gold Award-Custom Addition to Existing Home Silver Award-Speculative Luxury Home 5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft.
BOWA Builders, Inc.
bowa.com or 703-734-9050
Gold Award-New or Remodeled Kitchen
Gold Award-Custom Whole House Renovation
Chesapeake Living Treasures, Inc.
chesapeakelivingtreasures.com or 410-586-0200
Silver Award-Transitional Custom Home
Churchill Group
churchillbuilders.com or 240-243-1000
Bronze Award-Custom Home 7,500 to 12,500 sq. ft.
Douglas Construction Group LLC
301-983-6947
Gold Award-Speculative Luxury Home Under 3,500 sq. ft.
Georgetown Development Corp.
georgetowndevcorp.com or 240-876-3800
Bronze Award- Traditional Custom Home
Hemingway Homes-Bethesda, LLC
301-229-4100
Gold Award-Speculative Luxury Home 3,500 to 5,000 sq. ft.
Bronze Award-Speculative Luxury Home 5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft.
Jeffco Remodeling LLC
301-564-5129
Gold Award-Custom Addition to Existing Home
Meridian Homes Inc.
meridianhomesinc.com or 301-652-4440
Gold Award-Custom Home 3,500 to 5,000 sq. ft.
Gold Award-Custom Home 5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft.
P.F. Summers, Inc.
pfsummers.com or 301-812-1100
Gold Award-Custom Home Under 3,500 sq. ft.
Rosemark DesignBuild
301-953-3110
Silver Award-Custom Home 3,500 to 5,000 sq. ft.
Bronze Award-Custom Home 5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft.
Rosenthal Homes
rosenthalhomes.com or 301-762-7024
Gold Award-Contemporary Custom Home
Silver Award-New or Remodeled Kitchen
Sandy Spring Builders, LLC
sandyspringbuilders.com or 301-913-5995
Gold Award-Custom Home 7,500 to 12,500 sq. ft.
Gold Award-Custom Whole House Renovation
Studio Z Design Concepts
studiozdc.com or 301-951-4391
Gold Award-Speculative Luxury Traditional Home
Gold Award-Transitional Custom Home
Silver Award-Custom Home 5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft.
Silver Award-Custom Home 7,500 to 12,500 sq. ft.
Silver Award-Traditional Custom Home
Whittington Design/Build
whittingtondesignbuild.com or 301-657-5518
Silver Award-Contemporary Custom Home
Silver Award-Custom Whole House Renovation
Windsor Design-Build, Inc.
windsordesignbuild.com or 301-417-2700
Bronze Award-Custom Whole House Renovation
Wood Visions Construction, Inc.
wood-visions.com or 301-253-4903
Gold Award-Speculative Luxury Home 5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft.
Gold Award-Traditional Custom Home
Megann Daw is an intern for ChesapeakeHome
