Project Details
Location: Vienna, VA
Date: Winter 2016
Services: Architectural Design
Construction Documents
Construction Administration
Credits: Hoachlander Davis Photography
Located on a compact lot within an existing community, this design was meticulously crafted within a set of very restrictive site-driven parameters. The lot coverage and setback requirements, as well as an unusual easement imposed by the local jurisdiction yielded a building footprint that is smaller than its adjacent properties. To maintain desirability in the competitive market, this necessitated a highly efficient design that utilizes the full capability of the footprint. The floor plan radiates around a central staircase, which limits the space needed for circulation. The typically relinquished space below the garage has been excavated and reclaimed as a bedroom and media room by utilizing a sophisticated concrete slab and metal decking assembly. Additionally, the central void within the roof framing has been carved out for a bonus loft space ideal for a family member or guest yearning for extra privacy.
The home’s unique massing and side-loaded entry door are attributable to the covered porch allotted within the main footprint. To preserve a balanced composition, the owners’ suite above the garage is separated from the floor below with its own independent hip roof, reducing the scale of the secondary mass. The scale and location of each window opening in the home carefully considers the adjacent neighbors and solar orientation, maximizing both light and views without compromising privacy. Set against a contrasting, verdant green backdrop of old-growth trees and dense site plantings, the rich red cedar and bold grey siding of the exterior give the home a distinct presence within the neighborhood.