JIM ROUNSEVELL, Architect, Receives Recognition for Excellence in Residential Design

The Washington, D.C. chapter of the AIA has selected Jim Rounsevell as one of the winners in the prestigious Washingtonian Magazine awards competition for Residential Design. His recently completed Poplar Terraces project in Falls Church, Virginia was commended by the jury for its “clean and simple” design approach and ability to deliver high quality while maintaining a relatively modest budget. A feature on the project will be printed in the June, 2008 issue of the magazine.

This series of 4 terraced houses was cited as “interesting in how it dealt with a kind of architecture that is often overlooked: the development house.” Just outside of Washington, D.C., the distinctive contemporary architecture of Poplar Terraces is inspired by housing types found in cities like Charleston, South Carolina. Each is set along walled gardens perpendicular to the street to garner private outdoor space and optimize solar orientation, fostering connectivity between the homes and the surrounding landscape. The houses also share a stand of protected old-growth tulip poplars in a preservation out-lot, as well as a rain garden (thus inspiring the title of the project).

Each energy efficient house is minutes from Tyson’s Corner, the Beltway, and I-66; they are within walking distance to the West Falls Church metro, the W+OD trail system, the Poplar Heights swimming pool, and shopping in Falls Church. These possibilities extend the concept of “sustainable” architecture to offer an entirely more energy conscious lifestyle, emphasizing community and alternative means of transportation.

The architect notes: “In [the metropolitan area] land development is inevitable; however, the goal of this project is to preserve a connection with the land, balancing the natural with the man-made.” Rather than constructing the largest building footprint possible for the budget, these houses are carefully crafted and sited. The project also received a US Government Energy Star rating for its energy efficiency.

Based out of Charlottesville, VA, Jim Rounsevell has been operating independently since 1997. He has completed projects in the regional area including new residential construction, renovation, and commercial work.
For additional information, please visit the project website at: www.poplarterraces.com and the architect’s website at: www.studio109plc.com, or email info@studio109plc.com.