Blog entries tagged Great Falls

The Mystery of Design

Dean Brenneman — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Beginning a new design is thrilling for me; meeting my new clients, learning about the quirks of their particular house, realizing that I can help them. For me, there is always a rush that is like....well, like new love. Sure, that may be a little over the top. But only a little.

The funny thing is that even after twenty five years, I never really know where the design will take me until I'm in the thick of it. It's as though I sit down to sketch aRead More...

When Bad Things Happen to Good Homes #2

Dean Brenneman — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 05:00:00 +0100

#2 IN AN OCCASIONAL SERIES

Well, I was up on the roof of that 1960's contemporary in Chevy Chase, MD again yesterday, and the problem is MUCH worse than I imagined. In addition to water vapor questions, we now know that the roof is actively leaking at every skylight (there are ten) and at the chimney.

In every case, the problem is faulty "flashing" - the material (aluminum, copper or bituminous membrane) used to protect joints between the main roofing matRead More...

Engaging the Landscape

Dean Brenneman — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Our client - a single female professional - purchased an old rambler on a hillside lot overlooking the Potomac River; but the house practically ignored the landscape. It made no attempt to take advantage of the extraordinary site - in fact this house could have been in a subdivision just about anywhere.

In expanding and re-considering the design of this home, we took the opportunity to create a cottage that reaches out into the landscape and enfolds the homeowner in nature. Ample windowRead More...