PROJECT Franzen House

ARCHITECT Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Architect

LOCATION  Bethesda, Maryland US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  3/22/2020

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Principal; Nicole Dejong, Project Architect; Sarah Mailhot Solander, Project Architect
OWNER/CLIENT
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Commonwealth Building and Design
PHOTOGRAPHER  Hoachlander Davis Photography

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER United Structural Engineers
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
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SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT  

This new house, located in Mohican Hills Maryland is constructed on a steeply sloping, wooded site. Distant views of the Potomac River are afforded in the late fall, winter and early spring. A simple rectangular volume, the house is revealed as a two-story structure seen from the street. This extends an additional two stories on the opposite elevation to take advantage of the steep grade, resulting in a four-story volume facing the Potomac River. The house is anchored into the earth with two concrete end walls, extending all four stories. Wood framed walls clad In Shou Sugi Ban with minimal fenestration connect the two concrete walls at the front of the house. On the woodland side, the four-story infill is mostly glass. This is articulated in the fenestration and the exterior material choices.

A series of decks and balconies extend from the glass façade to provide outdoor living experiences at each of the four levels on the wooded side. The street side remains relatively solid, with mostly service and utility core elements dedicated to that side. Corten panels and a wood fence define a private front yard. Access to the house is provided with a bridge extending from the street. The end of the bridge provides a platform with a panoramic vista towards the woods and a moment to pause before proceeding towards the front door. The path to the front door and vertical movement connecting the four levels are carefully orchestrated with selected landscape views and visual connections into a double height living space, that organizes the composition.

The project is modulated as a series of experiences that lead you away from the street and ultimately into a tranquil environment to enjoy the serene, wooded landscape.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

[KY=Kim Yao (Chair)  KD=Kimberly Dowdell  TY=Takashi Yanai]

KY: I love the fence! They've successfully demarcated their front yard. This is really nicely detailed—the taut box, glazing and siding. It's successful also in the extrusion of the single footprint. The balconies and stair introduce just enough dynamism. The interior feels spacious and homey all at once.

KD: This is just a really cool house, one that boldly engages material and its context in nature.

TY: The dramatic space is done really well. The house has material restraint and addresses the topography well with a simple form.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project/Jury PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)

1. Hoachlander Davis Photography
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4. Hoachlander Davis Photography
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