1 of 2
A modern rear addition complements the original architecture of the early-20th-century bungalow. (Photo by Ansel Olson)
2 of 2
Heather Grutzius and John White play with their two sons in their North Side home. (Photo by Ansel Olson)
John White and Heather Grutzius were undergraduates at The Catholic University of America at the same time. But they never met. He was studying architecture; she, civil engineering — and students from those programs tended not to mix much, they note.
It was when both came to the same graduate architecture program at Virginia Tech that they discovered one another and became collaborators, both personally and professionally. Now married and the parents of two sons, ages 5 and 2, they are principals in 510_architects, a firm that provides commercial and residential design-build services. Until recently, they also operated a metal and wood workshop, from which they could create custom furniture and finishes for clients.
Their hallmark as designers and builders is a celebration of modern design: clean lines, “green” construction, creative solutions to problems. Their shared life works on multiple levels. “We have the same work ethic and design aesthetic,” John says. “Our strengths complement each other,” Heather adds, noting that “we may disagree” on how to get to that shared goal.
The couple likes to use their own homes for learning and experimentation. The first house they worked on was in Old Town Alexandria, where they undertook basic, room-by-room renovations. When they moved to Richmond in 2008, they purchased a Fan home that had already been gutted, giving them a blank slate. Their total renovation got a lot of attention, locally and nationally. As much as they loved (and still love) that house, they knew they needed a new place.
“We were itching to do more,” Heather says.
Their current house — and ongoing project — is on the North Side, a bungalow dating to the early 20th century that they moved into in April 2014. “This was on the market forever,” Heather says. “It just sort of hung out for us.”
While people might wonder how two modernists can find happiness in an old home, the couple note that classic bungalow features — large windows in simple casings, and built-in bookcases in the front room — are very much in keeping with their goal of beauty in simplicity. Even though the house has changed dramatically in a few areas — a completely new kitchen, new bathrooms and an upstairs addition — its street appearance is unchanged, and the additions are mindful of what came before. “It’s a respect thing,” John says.
Kitchen
Photo by Ansel Olson
It’s hard to know where to look first in the generous new kitchen.
The centerpiece is a maple table built by John in college.
The cabinets are standard from Ikea, but are shrouded in wood from the couple’s workshop, to give visual oomph and create a customized look. To save on costs, steel was used on one wall as a backsplash, in place of traditional subway tile (found in smaller quantity above the deep, under mount sink).
The windows dominating the rear wall are stunning but surprisingly cost-effective: the horizontal windows don’t open, so there’s no need for screens and they cost less than standard. Two vertical casement windows provide airflow in the kitchen.
The floor is birch plywood, costing only $1,500, an experiment. “We’d never do this for a client,” Heather says. “It’s an inexpensive material but you can do a lot with it.” Rubber mats are practical yet keep with the spare, modern aesthetic.
Family Room
Photo by Ansel Olson
Thought of as a transitional space, half of the current family room used to be the kitchen. Its removal allowed for the addition of a first-floor powder room and an expansive opening to the new kitchen beyond, made possible by the installation of a ceiling beam.
Rear Addition
Photo by Ansel Olson
The couple designed the rear addition to complement, but not mimic, the original structure. They chose siding in durable Hardiplank, in two widths — 7 inches and 4 inches — with the smaller boards on top, to create a visual break from the first floor to the new second story.
The couple built a wider landing and staircase to allow for a grill on the upper level. The deck is closer to the ground so they didn’t have to add railings, a cost-saving measure.
Basement
Photo by Ansel Olson
Master Bedroom
Photo by Ansel Olson
Another wall of fixed windows looks onto the expansive backyard, which will soon hold a new metal and wood workshop for their personal use.
Ikea cabinets with 8-foot translucent panels obviate the need for built-in closet space, which would make the room feel smaller.
The master bathroom was another exercise in paying attention to the bottom line, with inexpensive oversized tile making a big impact. John moved the tile to the bathroom himself, saving the installer’s time (and money).
The door is nothing but a finished plywood sheet mounted on $35 tracks. “This whole house was an exercise in Internet buying,” John says. “We scoured many sites for better prices.”
