One of the biggest frustrations of readers is finding local service providers that “get” the mid-century modern aesthetic. Questions range from those about real estate agents, which led me to get my license, to inquiries about architects and builders who can help make period-appropriate changes and or modern additions to MCM homes. With that in mind, I’m happy to introduce Modern Capital readers to a local firm that truly understands mid-century modern and modern design.
The Northern Virginia- and Los Angeles-based firm of Cook Architecture is an award-winning, architecture and interior design practice, known nationally for its expertise in conceiving a wide array of new structures and re-imagining existing spaces combined with a strong history and association with local MCM architecture. The firm is led by Lawrence D. Cook, FAIA, and Michael Cook, AIA, a father-and-son team working together since 2000.
Lawrence, who has practiced architecture for more than 40 years and studied with Louis Kahn at the University of Pennsylvania, received numerous awards and honors, including his election to the American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, its highest honor.
Michael, a licensed architect in both California and Maryland, graduated from the Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles. He has worked for the world renowned Gehry Partners LLP, the contemporary artist Mike Kelley, and the architecture firm Frederick Fischer and Partners. His many awards and commendations include an Excellence in Architecture Award from the Virginia Society of the AIA and a Historic Preservation Award for the remodel of a home by Charles Goodman in Hammond Wood in Silver Spring.
The Cooks not only have the experience of more than 200 projects but the local MCM pedigree as well: The family lived for many years in Holmes Run Acres before moving into a contemporary home on Lake Barcroft that Larry designed and built for his family in 1976. The Cooks have worked on four Goodman-designed homes, an A. Quincy Jones-designed home for builder Joseph Eichler in California and an Alexander home by William Krisel in Palm Springs. They have worked on numerous other MCM projects, including Larry’s original designs dating back to the 1960s. They even have in their Virginia office Charles Goodman’s very own presentation table now used for similar purposes with their clients.
One of the firm’s current projects highlighted in their ad and slideshow I put together is their work in transforming a typical suburban Virginia colonial-style split-level into a truly modern space that includes green design components, such as Low E glass, a "Cool Roof", and large overhangs at sun exposed portions of house, some of the concepts that were incorporated into mid-century modern design. The project for homeowners Tom Arehart and Tricia Berman will result in a 3,000-square foot space with completely redesigned roof geometry to allow for large, dynamic living spaces and a more interesting ceiling plane in each room.
The design also incorporates an interesting use of office building curtain walls for large expanses of glass and ultra-modern Poggenpohl kitchen cabinets. The opened up living and kitchen space is 38 feet by 35 feet with 15-foot ceilings to the rear. To read more about, this project, click here and then click on Split Level Resolve House.
So if you are looking to bring your “updated” MCM closer to the original, looking to expand your mid-century in a time-period sensitive way or looking to totally transform an existing space, I urge you to give the Cooks a call.
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