1995 – Builder’s Choice Awards – Project of the year. Builder Magazine; in conjunction with Brawer & Hauptman, Architects.

"This project sends a message about getting people to move back to Main Street America," said one judge. That message, plus bold design and attention to detail, is what turned this bank-turned-private-residence the Builder’s Choice Project if the Year Award.

"I have always been interested in adaptive re-use projects," the owner notes, "and was looking for a non-residential building to remodel into a home." The perfect building turned out to be a historic, circa-1910 bank building located in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol. The greatest challenges occurred with objects that were too heavy, like moving the 3,500-pound safe outside when the ground was covered with ice. The soapstone countertops, which were selected for their durability and beauty, also posed an unforeseen difficulty. Not only were they extremely heavy, but also they had to be sanded and oiled once they were in place. Four to five coats of mineral oil had to be applied to get the desired finish.

Winning ideas for the kitchen were:

• The custom cherry cabinets in the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms give the home uniformity
  

• The custom kitchen sink is made of the same polished soapstone as the countertops
  
• Overall, the judges liked the combination of the neoclassical exterior and the modernist interior.