Richmond’s storied Fan District, largely a product of turn-of-the-century prosperity, is renowned for its historic row homes and period architecture. This project—six modern row homes in the middle of the Fan—challenged the design team to strike a balance between the fine architecture of the past and the present. The result, endorsed by the Fan District Association and aptly named “Citizen 6,” stewards the District’s history without replicating its roots. Looking to the neighborhood for inspiration, the design team paid careful attention to mass, scale, proportion, and materials. The palette—brick and wood siding—takes cues from surrounding homes, but with a modern twist: dark gray brick and clear-coated, tongue-and-groove cedar siding. These striking yet complementary references weave the contemporary project into the fabric of the historic neighborhood. The design of the units is clean and thoughtful, with open floor plans that vary from 2,200 to 3,000 square feet. Without partitioned rooms, the living spaces flow freely, reflecting a modern way of life that is both flexible and functional.
AIA Virginia Merit Award, Contextual Architecture, AIA Virginia