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Dean Brenneman's Blog

An Architect at Home
Tags >> Architectural Detail

Architectural Detail Makes a Comeback

Posted by: Dean Brenneman on Apr 20, 2009

Before World War II, even the simplest home boasted a bit of architectural detail and artfulness. But since then, the American home-building industry has been increasingly obsessed with the mantra of "faster and cheaper", compromising and minimizing architectural details almost to the point of caricature.

Thankfully, the tide is turning -- it seems that decades of stripped-down "Builder Colonial" homes, have left Washington homeowners starving for architectural detail. They've developed a keen appreciation for the wonderful homes of the early twentieth century, and they expect similar attention to detail from today's architects and builders.   This addition to a home in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chevy Chase, Maryland shows the difference that detail can make.

They Don't Build Them Like That Anymore!

Posted by: Dean Brenneman on Jan 11, 2009

THEY DON'T BUILD THEM LIKE THAT ANYMORE!

I love that phrase.  It usually escapes from a new client, when we are touring another client's just-finished renovation.   Sometimes we're admiring an exquisitely crafted stair railing or mantelpiece.  Or it might be a lovely paneled portal or a fabulous cast iron grille.  My personal favorite was a pocket-screen-door, that disappeared into the wall, next to a front door.  In each case, my new client pauses and looks wistfully at some such detail and observes "They don't build them like that anymore."  It's the sort of detail that they don't expect to find in today's construction... except we've just built it!

 

That's one of the most satisfying moments for me.  I'm always so proud of our carpenters and architects, for refusing to give in to the myth that true craftsmanship is not achievable today; there's simply no reason why that should be so.  Instead, I'd argue that given the enormous technological advances of our time, homeowners should expect new renovations and additions to be both designed and constructed better than an older home.