PROJECT Corten Tree House
ARCHITECT Colleen Healey Architecture, LLC
LOCATION  Cabin John, Maryland US

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  8/7/2023
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM  Colleen Healey, AIA
OWNER/CLIENT
CONTRACTOR/CONSTRUCTION MANAGER  Cabin John Builders / Neal Rosenthal and Josh Rosenthal
PHOTOGRAPHER  Jennifer Hughes
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CIVIL ENGINEER CAS Engineering / Jeffrey A. Robertson
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER Norton Consulting Engineers / George Norton
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT
CONSULTANT

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT
The original house was a deck-style semi-split level home that was dark inside and had very few windows facing the front. A large garage –which took up the whole footprint of what is now the front play yard– completely blocked the entrance to the front door. The original house, covered in cedar shakes, backs up to a Neighborhood Conservation Area.

With such a secluded site, we were able to create a house that could feel both inside and outside at the same time and created opportunities for exposure. It's more shelter than defined interior space, especially with some of the elements like a 15' glass door that pocket completely into the wall.  

The homeowners highest priorities included a front yard for kids to play that was visible from the kitchen, a new garage and primary bedroom suite and a first floor that could open both front and back to accommodate large gatherings.

The existing detached garage was demolished and the space that it occupied became the new play lawn. The front of the house was opened up to the exterior and a new staircase up to a new primary suite was added in a glass addition to the front. The new primary bedroom suite perches above a new attached garage to the side of the property and links through a feature stair to the main living level and additional bedrooms one level further down. The additional height of the primary suite, and reframed window and door openings provides tree house views to the woods beyond.

JURY COMMENTS (If applicable)

“This project is a beautiful and harmonious merging of human-made design and the natural world. With a strong emphasis on aesthetics and attention to detail the design created elevated interior spaces. It provides a serene and inviting living space that connects people with nature while offering modern comfort and functionality. The materials selection of cedar shake and steel evoke the feeling of being in a forested environment.” –Cristin Peacock

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Renovated Front Facade _ Jennifer Hughes Photography
2. Kitchen View _ Jennifer Hughes Photography
3. Stair Hall Toward Dining Room _ Jennifer Hughes Photography
4. Tree House Bedroom View_ Jennifer Hughes Photography
5.
6. 
7. 
8.