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influence of the Greek and Roman republics.
“We remain interested in architecture which expresses those ideas today, because we believe that those ideals still hold true,” Mr. Lee said. And since Washington, Virginia has a “conscious identification” with George Washington and the Founding Fathers, “it seemed appropriate to have a firm do the work which understood that.”
A prime concern, he said, was that the building “play an agreeable role in the architectural community of its town.” It should be, Mr. Lee said, “a player ... a good neighbor with other buildings in town . . . not the star of the show.” Certain buildings, he acknowledged, should stand out of the streetscape; particularly public buildings: churches, the library, the courthouse. “But most others should not.”
The result, he said, is a building which is “domestic in character, domestic in materials, domestic in forms and domestic in materials.”
That, Mr. O’Connell said, is exactly what they were looking for. “We wanted to keep with The Inn’s present function ... as representative of us, our needs and tastes . . . while keeping the mood and quality of the facility.”
The project, he explained, has gone through several designs to arrive at the present scheme. The first rendition, he said, “was too intimidating.” That was reworked as the owners and the architects searched for something “which looks like it has always been here.”
Mr. Lynch added the look they sought was “homey, earthy, country, and fitting with the current buildings. We wanted it not to be clear about its original use ... a mystery, as though it grew there.”
“The concept evolved,” Mr. O’Connell said, “from an idea of a private residence converted — not built as an inn or hotel. It was a challenge, trying to design a building with the feeling of our own home, a home that felt cozy.”
The architects made their presentation, he said, “and we picked it apart, trying to see it from the residents’ eyes . . . Because although it is representative of us, and our needs and tastes, the project would be a failure unless the town loves it and it fits in and they feel comfortable with it.” Mr. Lee called the owners’ concern for the project’s acceptance “remarkable. They were very insistent on this ... I can’t see how it would be a problem for the town. Every problem we have seen we have tried to overcome.”
The advantages, he said, include increased employment, more visitors which increase tax revenue. “Tourists bring no burdens. You don’t need to build schools or other infrastructure for them.”
“It strikes me as odd that anyone is not in favor of this project. The attention they have given to their operation and the cuisine is the kind of attention given to the design of the building.
“The town should be proud,” Mr. Lee concluded. “It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
Washington’s Planning Commission will meet Monday, Jan. 22 to consider The Inn’s application for rezoning and ordinance amendmentsThe meeting will begin at 8 p.m. in the courtroom and is, like all government meetings, open to the public.
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