This addition to the back of a row home on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC is what one might call a double object. The addition itself, a slightly cantilevered glass + steel frame stack which provides a new study and design studio as well as kitchen renovations, exists as an object, bearing a striking- if somewhat abstracted- resemblance to a Japanese lantern.
Courtesy of © David Jameson Architect Inc.
Acid etched glass panes give way at intervals to clear panels, offering unobstructed views to the outside, and bringing dramatic emphasis to light escaping to the outside at nighttime. The stack is also an object in its function. Yes, yes, it is an addition.
Courtesy of © David Jameson Architect Inc.
There’s function for you right there. But besides the obvious, there’s what else the addition does. Fundamentally incorporated into the lines of the scheme are opportunistically placed shelving units for the displaying of anything and everything.
Courtesy of © David Jameson Architect Inc.
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.