Looking for “design/build firms, architects, and/or general contractors you’d recommend who will respect the historic character of the home”

Photo by PoPville flickr user John Cochran

“Dear PoPville,

We just bought a 1920s rowhouse in Petworth/16th St Heights that still has a lot of its original character – including its internal walls, hallelujah! The previous homeowner lived there for almost 40 years and, while it has been lovingly maintained, it hasn’t really been updated or modernized except that at some point the sleeping porches on the back on both floors were enclosed. We’re interested in re-doing those enclosures properly, including adding a full bath to the top floor, a half-bath to the ground floor, and fully enclosing the basement space underneath the sleeping porches (which was never done) to make a laundry room.

We’d love referrals for design/build firms, architects, and/or general contractors you’d recommend who will respect the historic character of the home. Most of the renovations we’ve seen in person or found via google are in flipped houses, and we absolutely do not want to create a totally open-plan ground floor! If you’ve done something similar to what we’re hoping to do or have any suggestions for professionals to contact, we’d appreciate hearing from you!”