Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect

Wissioming Residence

WISSIOMING RESIDENCE

Robert Gurney Architect

Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Brian Tuskey

ENGINEER
D. Anthony Beale LLC

CONTRACTOR
Bloom Builders

INTERIOR DESIGNER
Therese Baron Gurney, ASID

PHOTOGRAPHS
Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

LOCATION
Glen Echo, United States

CATEGORY
Houses

Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

Text description provided by architect.

This house located in Glen Echo, Maryland is sited on a heavily wooded lot overlooking the Potomac River. Glen Echo stands as a rare enclave of modern houses in suburban Washington, DC.

The new house occupies the footprint of a pre-existing house in an effort to minimally disturb the site, removing no mature hardwoods in the process.

Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

A new swimming pool is suspended twenty feet above grade to further reduce the impact to the steeply sloping site.

In an effort to lessen his dependence on the automobile, the owner/ builder required that his office become part of his residential compound.

Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

The office is located on the ground floor of a detached structure separated from the main residence by a reflecting pool.

That structure also contains a garage on the first level and a guest suite above. Translucent glass and panels of Kalwall are used to allow the building to serve as a lantern to the main house at night.

Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

Structural pre-cast concrete planks are employed throughout the project in effort to expedite the construction process, span large open areas and to provide the ability to heat the house hydronically.

Combined with a 5” concrete slab and terrazzo flooring the structural system provides additional passive heating. Large overhangs on the glazed southern wall and the tree canopy minimize solar gain in the summer.

Wood siding is combined with soft gray terne coated stainless steel and black steel window frames to provide an exterior material palette that fits comfortably in the landscape. Bluestone, gravel and water complete the palette.

Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer

Interior materials such as white terrazzo flooring, white oak cabinetry and aluminum compliment the light filled and minimally detailed space. The creation of this atmosphere refocuses one’s attention outward, allowing the owner to reconnect with the inherently picturesque site already preserved through the design.

Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer
Wissioming Residence
© Maxwell MacKenzie Architectural Photographer


Wissioming Residence
Site Plan
Wissioming Residence
Basement Floor Plan
Wissioming Residence
First Floor Plan
Wissioming Residence
Second Floor Plan
Wissioming Residence
Axon


Wissioming Residence
Elevation
Wissioming Residence
Elevation
Wissioming Residence
Elevation
Wissioming Residence
Elevation

Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect
T +1 202 2370925 F +1 202 2370927
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect
5110 1/2, 5110 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States