HOME & DESIGN Magazine Late Fall 2013 | Page 99

The living space (left), which centers on a gas fireplace, is separated from the kitchen by a gumwood cabinet between columns. Glass around the staircase allows for a glimpse of the second-level study. The floors, fireplace hearth and staircase (above) are clad in marble from Turkey and Italy. F our years is a long time to spend creating the perfect home, but for Bruno Lassus, the design of his penthouse has been well worth the wait. This bi-level apartment in historic Georgetown is the antithesis of the traditional homes in the neighborhood. White marble floors flow through open, pared-down spaces illuminated by skylights and large windows. The staircase connecting the two floors resembles a large piece of abstract artwork assembled from blocks of marble. “It looks simple, but it was complex to achieve,” says Lassus of the Minimalist design. “There were technical and logistical challenges as well as the rules set by the condo board.” The Frenchborn homeowner, who works for 3M Cogent in biometric identification technology, bought the penthouse in 2005 for its location. He enjoys running and biking on the nearby C & O Canal towpath, and kayaking on the Potomac River a few blocks away. Balconies off both levels of the apartment provide views of those waterways and rooftops in the heart of Georgetown. ARCHITECTURE: Christy Schlesinger, Schlesinger Associate Architects, Washington, DC. CONTRACTOR: PETER C. SANDS, 22nd Street LLC, Arlington, Virginia. homeanddesign.com • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 97 F_Christine.indd 97 10/7/13 3:18 PM