This old Columbia house

They had names like Banner, Roanoke, Revere and Grenoble, traditional-sounding names that belied the avant-garde designs of the early architects of Columbia. Ryland, Ryan, Page, Jett, Techbuilt, Artery, Amberley, Alcan and Lifestyle Homes were just a handful of the dozens of builders that made their mark on Columbia's first villages with the blessing of its chief architect, developer James Rouse. Their contemporary designs embraced efficient, simple design, large, unadorned windows, niche courtyards, decks and vertical wood siding. They had detached carports with slanted roofs.

By Lisa Kawata

September 29, 2011