Modern multi-story brick house with sleek black window frames, a sloped roof, and a driveway with brick and concrete paving.

two story addition | ADU

Pullman Carriagehouse

Maximizing the site’s potential, this two-story ADU honors the historic neighborhood’s character on the exterior, while revealing a surprising modern-industrial style inside.

Status
Completed 2021

SCOPE
two story addition / adu

LOCATION
Alexandria, Virginia

Interior of a modern dining room with a wooden table, chairs, a large wall art featuring a train car, a window with a view of a brick building, a door, a small wooden cabinet, and black-framed glass door leading outside.

the challenge

Past Meets Potential

This property includes a historic townhome with a vacant gravel parking lot at the rear. The owner wanted to unlock the site’s potential by creating a distinctive short-term rental that would attract tourists while adding long-term value. Situated in a historic district, the exterior design had to meet review board guidelines, while the interiors were crafted to reflect the owner’s functional needs and personal style.

Bright living area with large windows, black armchairs, wooden chairs, and a wooden dining table, with sunlight streaming inside.

the solution

Maximizing Space & Light

Although the interior is narrow, its thoughtful layout and clean details create a bright, airy retreat. A dramatic two-story window fills the space with natural light, while the cozy loft adds both functionality and a sense of volume. Overall, the interior feels spacious and inviting—a playful destination for travelers.

View through black-framed glass door to small balcony with potted plants and neighboring houses, with kitchen area visible to the right.
Interior of a modern dining area with a wooden table, six chairs, a black and white area rug, a white door, and large black-framed glass doors leading outside. There's a small window above a wooden sideboard, and a staircase with wooden steps and black railing going to an upper level.
A dining room with a wooden table and six chairs, a large framed train car picture on the wall, a window letting in natural light, a staircase with wooden steps and black railing, and hardwood floors with a black and gray striped rug.

special features

A Nod to Railroad Heritage

With deep roots in the railroad industry, the client brought a unique appreciation for its distinct aesthetics to the project. This personal connection is reflected throughout the space, from a striking piece of artwork to his collection of original Pullman light fixtures in both the kitchen and bathroom, adding character and a meaningful sense of history to the space.

  • Interior view of a small kitchen and living room area with large windows, white walls, wooden countertops, a black sofa, and a wooden dining table.
  • A small modern bathroom featuring a toilet, a wall-mounted sink, a round mirror, a black towel rack with a white towel, a window, a tiled shower curtain rod with a curtain, and a black and white mosaic tile floor.
  • View from a cozy entrance hallway with wooden flooring, a closed wooden door with glass panels, and a colorful abstract poster on the wall, leading into a dining area with a ladder.
Interior of a modern, bright living space with a dining area, black chairs, a wooden table, a black armchair, windows with blinds, and a staircase with wooden steps and black supports.
Interior view of a room with a wooden staircase, small window, and minimal furniture, with sunlight streaming through the window.

Special Feature

The Loft and Ladder

The sloped shed roof created the perfect opportunity for a second-floor loft, but access needed to take up minimal space in the already compact floor plan. Our solution: a railroad-style ladder. Inspired by ship’s ladders, we crafted this steep, narrow stair from warm cherry wood with industrial metal fittings. It became a playful, fitting addition to our client’s themed interior.

  • Brick building with black metal staircase, windows, and a narrow outdoor passageway with trees and planters.
  • Modern brick townhouse with a driveway, wooden gate, and three upper windows, with trees and neighboring houses visible.
  • Exterior view of a brick building with black-framed windows, a modern wall-mounted light, and black downspouts.
A narrow outdoor corridor of a modern building, with brick and black wall on the left and white columns on the right, leading to a small tree and a brick building in the distance.

Special Feature

Respecting History, Inspiring Design

Located in a historic district, the exterior design had to meet the board’s strict guidelines while accommodating our client’s program. We drew inspiration from nearby historic carriage houses and enclosed porches, incorporating reclaimed brick, custom carriage-style doors, and carefully crafted period details.

A look at where we began—original conditions & site constraints

A Work in Progress

  • A small alleyway between brick buildings with parked cars, a portable toilet, a 'No Parking in Alley' sign, and a fenced area with trees and additional buildings in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

    Original site – empty parking lot behind the historic townhouse

  • A three-story white brick building with decorative architectural details and large windows, located between two older brick buildings. The building has the name 'CHARLOW' at the top.

    Existing Townhouse Front Exterior

  • A brick building with multiple windows and a white door, a wooden fence with a sign that says 'Private Parking'. There are two garbage bins in front of the fence, one black and one blue. The sky is partly cloudy.

    Historic townhouse – addition connects to the rear of this property

Collaborators

Contractor: William Cromley Design/Development

Photographer: Jenn Verrier Photography

Back to Work