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BY DYLAN ROCHE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID BURROUGHS
Separated from the rest of the Mayo Peninsula by a small bridge over tidal waters, Turkey Point Island exudes the tranquility of a bygone era. The residential community of fewer than 200 homes co-exists with abundant natural wildlife, including foxes, herons, and ducks. A gentle breeze carries the scent of brackish water, and the sound of gently lapping waves can be heard from most places on the island.
As with many other waterfront communities in the area, it’s a place where small summer cottages have given way to homes that meet the demands of modern living. This was the case with the project that Melanie Hartwig-Davis, principal, and John Richards, senior project designer of HD Squared Architects recently undertook for the Kress family. “It was all about expanding because they have a blended family with so many kids,” says Hartwig-Davis. “So, it was about expanding to give them more living space, but making so much more function available to them.”
Of course, this expansion presented a few challenges. For starters, because the property sits in a critical area zone, the footprint itself could be expanded by only a small amount. The other challenge was that the original house, which was built in 1949, had been expanded and added onto throughout the years to the point where it appeared to have undergone “Frankenstein remodels,” as owner Heather Kress puts it. Too many additions made the house feel as if it didn’t have consistency or flow. “It was compartmentalized spaces with no connectivity, and we wanted to open that up for the family, friends, and kids,” reflects Hartwig-Davis.
The original house did not have a defined entry, so the reconfiguration created a new formal entry from the street side of the house. Hartwig-Davis also conceived a secondary entry with a functional pantry, mudroom, and storage area where the clutter of everyday life can be hidden when guests come over. Downstairs bedrooms were relocated to the second floor; the space they previously occupied became a sitting area just inside the front door.
As one steps inside, it’s possible to see through to the main living area, where tall windows look out onto the water from the backyard. By removing a central fireplace that compartmentalized the original house, Hartwig-Davis and Richards transformed the primary living space into something open and airy, where people can gather on the sofa and easily talk to someone working in the kitchen. Handsome wood coffer beams across the ceiling create designated areas, whether it’s the living room, kitchen, or dining area. The fireplace stonework adds character.
Just off the main living space sits an airy sunroom with tall windows that overlook the pool deck and Ramsey Lake beyond. “It was definitely all about maximizing the views,” Richards says. “And then also kind of a blending of the inside and outside space. So, wherever you are in this end of the house, you really do have a connection to outside… the connection to the outdoors and the waterfront was key.”
Some aspects of the renovation evolved throughout the process. Originally, the owners were not inclined to worry about the rooftop deck because they thought they wouldn’t use it. However, when they realized a simple covering would make it much more comfortable, they agreed to it. Now, the home has one more space that blends inside with outside.
The basement was yet another area that was not part of the project. At least initially. But as part of an “evolution,” Richards says they decided to turn it into more living space and a home gym. A glass door at the top of the stairs creates a sense of seamlessness. “The addition of the glass door at the top, that was very closed off, but now you’re actually a part of the house when you’re down here,” he says of the basement. “It’s a much more connected feeling and less of a dingy basement.”
Even though the footprint of the house is similar to the one it had before, every space now feels much more useable. As Kress says, her favorite spot is at the kitchen table, where she’s able to enjoy the view of the lake. “This is my favorite part of the house,” she says. “You’re inside, but you really do have a connection to the outside.” Feeling connected and in tune with the beautiful environment of Turkey Point just outside their walls makes all the difference for the owners. And that is what architecture can do: begin with a “Frankenstein-like” jumble and find a way through. Hartwig-Davis and her team used the bones of the old space to fashion a home with beauty, clarity, and a new identity.
ARCHITECT: HD Squared Architects, John Richards, Senior Designer; Melanie Hartwig-Davis, Architect, Annapolis, Maryland. CUSTOM BUILDER: Greg Younger, Younger Construction, Davidsonville, Maryland. KITCHEN DESIGN: HD Squared Architects and Tina Colebrook Kitchens. LANDSCAPE DESIGN/INSTALLATION: Homestead Gardens. POOL: Arcadia Pools. STONE AND TILE: In Home Stone and Compass Stone & Tile, Annapolis, Maryland. WINDOWS AND DOORS: Weather Shield, Architectural Window Supply, Annapolis, Maryland.
©Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 15, No. 3 2024