The Residence is a masterful renovation and expansion of the historic Slayton House, originally designed in 1960 by the world-renowned architect I.M. Pei. As one of only three residential projects in Pei’s celebrated career, the home holds a unique place in architectural history and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. The recent transformation, led by Robert Gurney Architects and built by Peterson & Collins, preserved the spirit of Pei’s modernist design while enhancing it with timeless classical elegance.
Rugo Stone was engaged early in the design process to provide technical consultation, stone selection guidance, and expert fabrication and installation services. After an extensive review of materials, the homeowners selected vein-cut Navona Travertine for its warmth, sophistication, and ability to bridge modernist geometry with classical Roman-inspired beauty. This choice became a defining feature of the project, shaping both the exterior hardscapes and the interior architectural finishes.
The project scope included the installation of 2″ thick travertine pavers at the pool, entrance, garden, and terrace; solid travertine steps up to 10-3/4″ thick; custom pool coping; 3/4″ thick interior travertine floors; and solid 3″ thick stair treads. One of the project’s most significant challenges was achieving seamless visual continuity between interior and exterior stone surfaces despite differing slip-resistance requirements. To address this, Rugo Stone developed a custom exterior finish that perfectly matched the tone of the interior’s honed surfaces while adding the necessary texture for outdoor use.
Every detail was executed with precision, from mitered and epoxied edges designed to mimic the look of solid stone to cross-cut pieces that accurately replicated the natural variations in a block of travertine. Sourcing was equally meticulous—Rugo Stone coordinated two trips to Italy with the homeowners, first for block selection and later to approve dry-laid mockups at the factory. Each stone was individually marked, documented in shop drawings, and installed with the utmost care to maintain alignment, veining, and finish consistency.
The completed residence now stands as a seamless integration of past and present—a home that respects its historic pedigree while embracing modern craftsmanship and design innovation. The collaborative effort between the homeowners, architect, builder, and Rugo Stone has resulted in a refined, technically demanding work of art that has earned multiple awards and wide acclaim in the architectural and design community.
Location: Washington, DC
Completion Date: 2024
Architect: Robert Gurney Architects
General Contractor: Peterson & Collins Inc
Services Performed: Consult, Design, Fabricate, and Install Stone. Stone Sourcing, Technical Consultation, Installation
