The Forgotten House 

In the mid-century modern neighborhood of Drumaldry (located in Bethesda, MD) an aging house stood quietly, steeped in history. The neighborhood’s house models, originally designed by the renowned architect Nicholas A. Pappas in the early 1970s, showcased striking mid-century and California-style features like vaulted cedar ceilings, open floor plans, and expansive glass windows that invited sunlight into every corner. Despite its enchanting design, this particular house, with its ill-conceived early renovations, had succumbed to neglect. 

The Architect's Vision

Upon entering the worn house, Architect Luis Boza felt a profound connection to Pappas’s original intent and envisioned the home's untapped potential. Determined to restore the house while adapting it for contemporary living, Luis imagined creating a vibrant space filled with light and laughter.

On the first floor, he envisioned the kitchen as the heart of the home. He articulated it as a vertically clad cedar volume that housed all the essential appliances and storage space and connected to a cozy family den through a chic bar that encouraged conversation. Luis ensured the kitchen sink and prep areas aligned with the windows, offering serene views of the lush backyard, while the cedar wood detailing harmonized with the living room's high ceilings, enhancing the overall flow of the space.

Moving upstairs, he reconfigured the primary bathroom by removing unnecessary walls to create a spacious, light-filled sanctuary featuring a large spa-like steam shower and a floating double vanity. Additional modifications transformed one existing bathroom into two: one with hallway access and one en-suite. He also tucked a laundry room into the upper level for convenient access by all family members. Throughout the home, Luis maintained elements consistent with similar materials and details from the original design.

A New Beginning

As renovations reached completion, the house emerged as a beautifully transformed homage to its original design—a perfect blend of the past and present. Each room stood ready to embrace new memories, echoing with the laughter and love it had once known. The house, once hidden in shadows, now shone brightly, inviting residents and visitors to appreciate its legacy and promise of new beginnings. With every detail meticulously preserved and modernized, the house was poised to welcome its next chapter, where stories of its history and the vibrancy of life could thrive anew.