This new 5,900squarefoot primary residence was designed for a family of five on a slightly elevated lot with winter views of the Potomac River. The program required five bedrooms, multiple living and recreation spaces, ample storage, two distinct entrances, and outdoor areas—including a terrace and storage for bikes and kayaks—all within a compact neighborhood context.

A T-shaped plan organizes the interior around a private outdoor terrace while reducing the apparent mass from the street. A generous front porch and gambrel roof further soften the scale and help the home blend with its smaller neighbors. A side path leads to the family entrance and a small outbuilding used for bike and kayak storage, which also screens views to the rear terrace.

Inside, the two entrances meet at a central stair hall leading to an eatin kitchen overlooking the great room. Window seats, a builtin banquette, and French doors enhance family gathering and connect the interior to the terrace and garden. A first-floor guest suite provides privacy for visitors, while the secondfloor primary suite enjoys views of the Potomac River from an arched balcony.

The exterior combines board-and-batten siding on the first floor with cedar shingles and a gambrel roof above, creating visual variety and reducing the perceived scale. The overall design balances the family’s extensive programmatic needs with sensitivity to the surrounding architectural and natural context.

Project team includes:

• Contractor: Hall Johnstone
• Photography: Anice Hoachlander