Charles Goodman Home XV

Nestled neatly within the trees, the remodeled 3401 Pendleton Drive stands as an elegant expression of postwar modernism- simple, functional, and in perfect balance with its hillside setting. Designed in 1951 by pioneering architect Charles Goodman and part of the National Register of Historic Places-listed Hammond Wood neighborhood, the house bears all of the hallmarks of a great Goodman design- large expanses of glass, natural materials, open and airy spaces, and an intimate connection to the outdoors. Though the two-level home remained relatively unchanged for decades, Cook Architecture recently breathed life back into the house, completing a sensitive renovation that marries modern-day conveniences with midcentury style.

For this project, Cook Architecture transformed the modest three bedroom/two bathroom plan into a four bedroom/two full bathroom, 1,710-square-foot home. Goodman’s design was left mostly intact with living spaces updated to reflect contemporary needs and preferences. Walls of new double-pane, low-e insulated windows offer well-framed views of the wooded lot.

Refinished hardwoods and a reclaimed wood-clad ceiling add warmth and texture to the bright interior. Goodman’s trademark recycled red brick fireplace anchors the new open-plan living and dining room, while the reconfigured galley kitchen balances the uninterrupted space. In the expanded kitchen, Poggenpohl cabinets, custom walnut shelves, a Royal Mosa tile backsplash, and streamlined appliances blend seamlessly with the home’s minimalist aesthetic.

On the lower level of the house, a complete redesign retains the original footprint while offering more functional space and a further connection to the outdoors. Bedrooms were rearranged along one side of the house to provide a spacious den with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Separate utility rooms became one multipurpose space, which now includes laundry and extra storage. All HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems have been upgraded, and new light fixtures refresh the modern interior.

With its walls of glass, open plan, and embrace of the landscape, the house provides ample opportunities for true indoor/outdoor living. A private concrete patio space is defined by an undulating retaining wall and a wood slat screen that mirrors the original siding. In the backyard, a small brick patio creates an intimate gathering place under the mature trees, its red brick pavers a nod to Goodman’s monolithic chimney.

Prominently featured in Phaidon’s Mid-Century Modern Architecture Travel Guide: East Coast, USA, the newly renovated 3401 Pendleton Drive looks to the future without forgetting the past. Just as Charles Goodman reimagined the modern American home more than seventy years ago,

Cook Architecture attempts to define today’s domestic dream, balancing preservation with renovation and melding Goodman modernism with the efficiency and practicality of twentyfirst-century design.