Ambassador’s Residence, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The goals of this project were to restore the architectural characteristics of the structure and property, renovate the interior to become a residence for the Ambassador and her family, and preserve the large entertainment spaces which serve to host 100+ guests for State functions. Modernization of the kitchen, bathrooms, utility services, and security systems were balanced against restoring historically significant features such as chandeliers, fireplace mantels, balustrades, and gilded ceiling tiles. American chestnut millwork, doors, and trim were meticulously removed, catalogued, stripped, and brought back to life for re-installation; terracotta grotesques, marble medallions, and cast plaster details were restored on site.

Originally the Morris House, a 1939 Jacobean-style mansion designed by Porter & Lockie, it had been vacant for nearly 20 years, and stripped of many valuables, particularly copper. Additional deterioration by weather and vandals triggered a full engineering inspection and analysis that lead to structural remediation of some areas. Exterior preservation included replacement of 103 custom-made windows, restoration and/or replication of 15 original stained glass windows, masonry re-pointing, and careful cleaning of limestone sills, surrounds, and ornamentation.

Estimated completion: 2027