International Architecture Awards Tell a friend

Architects: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect
Lead Architect: Robert M Gurney
Design Team: Nicole de Jong
General Contractor: thinkmakebuild
Photographers: Anice Hoachlander

Shifting volumes and planes define this new house, located in a leafy suburb of Washington, DC. An ambitious brief required large spaces for group gatherings and intimate spaces for individual activities. Spaces designed for exercise and wellness are juxtaposed with spaces designed for relaxation and contemplation. A reciprocal balance with the landscape is intended to merge the program and site. The wooded lot with a pond was selected in part due to the sloping topography which enabled a large portion of the structure to be depressed into the hillside. This concept minimizes the perceived scale, promotes connectivity to the outdoors, and results in a more efficient building envelope. The spaces are organized with a conceptual clarity separating private and public zones. Movement within and between spaces is celebrated and flow between the indoors and outdoors is seamless. Energy usage considerations and sustainable strategies are paramount in this project. A geothermal HVAC system with radiant in-floor heating is employed along with solar panels and a Tesla Powerwall. Thickened walls, with foam insulation and a rain screen wall cladding system, comprise the building envelope. The weathering steel skin and charred wood siding will require minimal future maintenance. Green roof systems are incorporated, and expanses of operable glass provide ample daylighting and allow for optimum ventilation and fresh air. This project provides an environment where spaces for Health and Wellness are equally integrated with spaces for work, gathering, relaxation, and contemplation.