This new ground-up house unifies indoor and outdoor space. Enclosed courtyards that operate as “outdoor rooms” merge seamlessly with adjacent indoor areas, blurring the line between the two. Composed of a transparent central 2-story living space flanked by volumes with ancillary functions, each room frames the next. The staircase and fireplace are feature elements, displaying steel and glass screens that reflect the spatial layering of the overall composition.

The previous house on the site was deconstructed, and almost all material was re-purposed. The basement was preserved and re-used to minimize excavation and ground disturbance. The modest scale of the new house is consistent with the neighborhood. The site’s natural grade was maintained, and all existing trees remain, including a large original oak tree very close to the front of the house. This impressive tree was preserved through construction, with the house cantilevered so as not to disturb the extensive root system.

With the master suite and office on the first floor, the house creates the possibility of “aging in place” for the “empty-nester” clients. The second floor includes private spaces for guests, with a bridge over the first floor connecting the two sides. Each upper level deck is unique: one provides an enclosed garden with a green roof, and the other offers framed views of the sunset.

Privacy was a challenge, as the houses in this neighborhood are situated very close together. The various courtyards provide internal privacy, while wood screen perimeters bring in natural light so the enclosure is not imposing. Shou sugi ban cladding is combined with white stucco on the façade for a simple material composition. This traditional burnt wood from Japan also joins cedar framing to wrap the courtyards, creating warm private spaces for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors.


contractor:  Haigh deCastro
photos:  Anice Hoachlander
millwork:  Mersoa Woodwork
custom steel:  Metal Specialties
custom glass: Gaithersburg Glass Co.