Washington, DC | Setbacks Open Up New Ideas
Episode 20 · 2006-02-16

- Documentary
- Reality
Episode overview
Host Kevin O'Connor visits the National Mall to see how the National Park Service is finishing up nearly 10 years of renovation at the Lincoln Memorial. Back at the project house, master carpenter Norm Abram finds the house has been almost completely gutted. General contractor Mahyar Mahvi had hoped to save many of the floors, studs, millwork, and plaster—but water damage had ruined them beyond salvage. In the basement, the news is better—a new slab has been poured, electrical service has been updated, and the new water service is underway. Out at the street, master plumber Robert Major replaces the 3/4" lead water-service pipe with 1" copper tubing. Up on Capitol Hill, landscape contractor Roger Cook meets garden designer Kevin Cordt to see how he designs beautiful, low-maintenance urban gardens on small rowhouse lots. Surprised by the radical changes at the jobsite, architect Genell Anderson has no choice but to go back to the drawing board.
Season 27 episodes
1. Cambridge | A Modern Old House2005-10-06
2. Cambridge | Modernize, Again2005-10-13
3. Cambridge | Worst-Case Scenario2005-10-20
4. Cambridge | Longfellow's House2005-10-27
5. Cambridge | The Cost of Poor Workmanship2005-11-03
6. Cambridge | High-Tech Heating and Cooling2005-11-10
7. Cambridge | Water Damage Brings Opportunity2005-11-17
8. Cambridge | Real Stone, Flat Roof2005-11-24
9. Cambridge | A Water-Feature Welcome2005-12-01
10. Cambridge | Creating a Dramatic Entryway2005-12-08
11. Cambridge | Rain Slows Some Progress2005-12-15
12. Cambridge | Dramatic Staircase2005-12-22
13. Cambridge | Interior Finishes Begin2005-12-29
14. Cambridge | Fine Craftsmanship2006-01-05
15. Cambridge | Contemporary Design Elements2006-01-12
16. Cambridge | Modern Conveniences in a Modern Home2006-01-19
17. Cambridge | Things Are Coming Together2006-01-26
18. Cambridge | A Red Box Becomes a Show House2006-02-02
19. Washington, DC | Reviving an Abandoned 1879 Rowhouse2006-02-09
20. Washington, DC | Setbacks Open Up New Ideas2006-02-16
21. Washington, DC | Honoring the Past, Looking Toward the Future2006-02-23
22. Washington, DC | A Rebuilt Structure2006-03-02
23. Washington, DC | Beautiful Historic Restorations2006-03-09
24. Washington, DC | The Outside is Shaping Up, Too2006-03-16
25. Washington, DC | Surface Finishes2006-03-23
26. Washington, DC | A Home Saved2006-03-30