homesgardens
Making the Most of a Townhouse Kitchen by Bruce Wentworth, AIA
T
he typical town house has a narrow galley kitchen, lacks natural light and is walled-off from the home’s living area. Some townhouse kitchens are so narrow it’s hard to get a 36” aisle down the middle. A small addition can often make a huge impact. Even a small narrow galley kitchen can be dramatically improved with thoughtful planning and design that maximizes every inch of kitchen space. A couple recently downsized from a suburban detached home to a 1920s urban townhouse and required a new kitchen. Located in one of the city’s historic districts the couple considered their new abode a long-term “retirement home” and wanted a new design to fit their lifestyle. The dark narrow galley kitchen had to go. The couple enjoyed chatting with guests while preparing meals
which meant that the wall between the dining room and kitchen had to be opened up. To provide space for a small breakfast table and expanded kitchen, a small addition was built on the footprint of an old rear porch.
Small Addition The clients knew that sacrificing their rear porch to build a kitchen extension was
a smart use of space. Simulated stucco panels, and casement windows fit gracefully with the older home. The sensitive design easily received approval from the DC Historic Preservation Office. An existing rear basement stair was accommodated by placing the new addition on masonry piers. Properly insulated at all exposures, heated with hot water baseboard, and supplemented with electric radiant floor heat, guarantees the addition will stay cozy in the winter. 114 ★ HillRag | January 2011