Roth Residence

Renovation & Addition
Palisades, Washington, DC

Unique In-Law Suite
A wide lot allows for an addition for Mom in Palisades, Washington, DC

The clients, a mother-daughter team, purchased a home on a large corner lot so that the Mother’s suite could be built of the Main level.

Taking advantage of an East and South orientation and buildable area to the side and front of the original home, CHECA Architects designed a sunny living space with a home office niche. The open floor plan allows for a cozy bedroom with a private terrace to the back which connects to the family yard and pool. A comfortable dressing area and private bath were carved out of existing spaces of the original home. To connect the Mother’s suite, access was created for convenience to the Main home foyer. The powder room that was there was relocated to a space under the Main staircase in the original house.

As the new suite was to sit forward of the main house, two screened in porches, with a new entry between them, were added to the front of the existing home, where before there was an awkward stoop. The porches are used by the whole family while also providing a protected and cool spot for the mother to enjoy the outdoors. Natural ventilation and daylighting were early goals and these porches are enjoyed year-round.

When I moved to D.C. to live with my daughter, I told her that I refused to live in a Granny flat in a basement. We finally decided that the only way to avoid basements was to buy a good house and add rooms on the side for me. That is how I met Lorena Checa.

She was recommended and I met with her. She was receptive to what I described — I wanted a bright and airy sitting room with a small office area and a bedroom with bath, big closet, dressing area. I got what asked for in just the way I wanted it but it turned out so much better than I ever imagined. I sit at my desk now and look out the tall windows and clerestory in front and I am outside at the same time that I am inside.

It’s glorious!

As a practical matter, my rooms are wheelchair accessible if that becomes necessary; they are environmentally efficient, and the use of forms, windows, wood, and light is esthetically harmonious.

Lorena also redesigned the living room of the main house and added two screened porches which we love. The whole project came in at budget at the expected date. Lorena was on top of the construction as it progressed and she worked well with the contractor.

Jane Roth
Palisades, Washington, DC