Modern Comfort and Elegance

Dumbarton Oaks Guest House

Washington DC

Owned and operated by Harvard University, the Dumbarton Oaks Guest House offers accommodation for visiting researchers and scholars coming to study the Institution’s esteemed collections of Byzantine and Pre-Columbian art and visit the beautiful gardens of the historic Georgetown estate. The EwingCole team undertook comprehensive design services to rejuvenate and reconfigure the building, comprising eight guest rooms, two accessible cottage suites, and communal areas.  Drawing inspiration from the Estate’s rich history, the design revives its warmth and character through modernized finishes and amenities while enhancing functionality and comfort for guests. Overcoming challenges inherent in working with existing and historic structures, the EwingCole team modernized infrastructure throughout, including transforming the basement into bright, new workspaces and offices for Dumbarton Oaks Facilities staff. Previously untouched since the 1980s, the revitalized design infuses the Guest House with a renewed, dignified ambiance, aligning the interior architecture with the stately charm of its historic 1933 exterior.