The owners of this master bath addition in Washington, D.C., face some not-so-tough choices. They can soak and unwind in either the hot tub or the steam shower. If they want to enjoy views of Washington’s Rock Creek Park, they can look out the plate-glass window that spans nearly the entire wall over the hot tub. But if they’d rather take in a view of their own garden, all they have to do is step out of the bathroom and onto a private balcony. A sliding shoji screen enables them to quickly transform the wide-open master suite into discrete bedroom and bathroom spaces.
Architects Todd Ray and John Burke placed the addition above an existing garage because that location offered the best park views. Then, they rotated that part of the house a few degrees so it would also look onto the rear garden. All these views don’t mean the bath lacks privacy. The wall above the vanity is lined with glass block, and the owners have planted a bamboo grove outside the plate-glass window. “Bamboo is thick enough so that no one can see them, but thin enough so they can still see through it,” says Ray.
The clients, both busy professionals, needed an environment in which both could use the space at the same time. So Ray and Burke designed a separate compartment for the water closet, with a floor-to-ceiling frosted-glass door to give the occupant total privacy. An extra-long vanity offers two sinks, two mirrors, and ample counter space.
Project Credits: Builder: Kingston Construction Co., Hyattsville, Md.; Architect: Studio27 Architecture, Washington, D.C.; Project size: 430 square feet; Construction cost: Withheld; Photographer: Kenneth Wyner (except where noted).
Resources: Fittings: Kohler Circle 442; Fixtures: Americh, Circle 443, Dornbracht, Circle 444, Kallista, Circle 445, and Roma Steam Shower, Circle 446; Flooring: Haifa, Circle 447; Lighting: Lightolier, Circle 448; Paints/ stains: Sherwin-Williams, Circle 449.
