Preserving Architectural Legacy with Modern Steel Windows: Inside This Stunning Hugh Newell Jacobsen Renovation

A remarkable renovation project recently featured in Home & Design Magazine showcases how timeless architecture and modern craftsmanship can work together in perfect harmony. The featured 1971 McLean, Virginia residence—originally designed by legendary architect Hugh Newell Jacobsen—underwent a meticulous restoration that honored the home’s original vision while upgrading it for modern living. Throughout the project, one thing remained essential: preserving the integrity of the home’s iconic glass window bays and minimalist architectural language

Nestled on 10 wooded acres, the home’s design is instantly recognizable through Jacobsen’s signature gabled pavilions, clean white stucco walls, and expansive glass openings that frame the surrounding landscape like artwork. The renovation team, led by architect Wouter Boer and Alair Homes Arlington, took on the challenge of revitalizing the aging structure without compromising its architectural soul.

Over time, the home’s original construction faced significant deterioration. Water intrusion, outdated single-pane windows, rusted steel framing, and structural settling threatened many of the home’s defining features. Yet instead of replacing the iconic bays with bulky modern alternatives, the team committed to restoring the slender steel profiles that made the design so special.

The expansive steel-framed glass bays are more than just windows—they are architectural portals connecting every pavilion to nature. Throughout the home, natural light floods the interiors while uninterrupted views create a seamless relationship between indoor and outdoor living.

Architect Wouter Boer explained that preserving the original proportions and delicacy of the bays was essential to maintaining the spirit of Jacobsen’s work. Modern off-the-shelf systems would have introduced heavier framing that could have dramatically changed the visual experience of the home.

For homes inspired by modernist architecture, steel windows offer several unique advantages:

• Minimal sightlines that preserve clean architectural geometry
• Exceptional durability and structural strength
• Large-scale glass capabilities for panoramic views
• Timeless aesthetics that complement both historic and contemporary design
• Enhanced thermal performance with modern insulated glass systems

Beyond the windows, the renovation embraced a restrained material palette designed to let the architecture and landscape remain the focal point. Venetian plaster walls, wide-plank white oak flooring, Calacatta Monet marble, and trim-less detailing created interiors that feel serene, refined, and deeply connected to nature.

The result is a home that feels simultaneously original and entirely current—a rare achievement in architectural restoration.

This project is a powerful reminder that great architecture deserves preservation, not replacement. By thoughtfully integrating modern building technology while respecting Jacobsen’s original intent, the renovation team ensured this iconic home will continue inspiring future generations.

At Portella, we believe exceptional steel windows and doors should do more than perform beautifully—they should elevate architecture itself.

Explore Portella’s custom steel window and door systems and discover how timeless craftsmanship can transform your next project.

Read the full feature in Home & Design Magazine, Winter 2026 edition.