PROJECT  The Lookout

LOCATION  Chevy Chase, Maryland, US​

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  11/25/2022

Firm(s): Fowlkes Studio 

Design Team Members: Catherine Fowlkes, AIA; VW Fowlkes, AIA; Martin Locraft, AIA; Josh Eager, RA

Client: 
Contractor/Construction Manager: ThinkMakeBuild

Landscape Architect: Moody Graham

Structural Engineer: Rathgeber/Goss Associates, PC

Civil Engineer: 

Mechanical Engineer: 

Electrical Engineer: 

Photographer(s): © Jennifer Hughes, Photographer LLC
Additional project support: 

PROJECT SUMMARY

This small architectural intervention was woven onto an awkward corner of an existing house in order to open up a viewless dead end on the inside and create a hierarchy of inspiring spaces on the outside. Overlooking almost 200 acres of country club grounds in an otherwise residential area, the addition was also approached as a piece of sculpture for art consulting and collecting clients.

A rainscreen clad Owner's Bath and outdoor Planter are supported by steel posts surrounding a Screened Porch that rests on a brick plinth. The addition uses windows sparingly with just a small punch in the Water Closet and saves the large glass expanse for the long views of the adjacent landscape. The new Screened Porch is connected to the Kitchen and Dining Rooms through glass and steel doors and gives new access to the exterior spaces.

From early collaboration and planning through design iterations and execution, decisions were evaluated on their ability to address multiple agendas. The plants in the second story planter bring greenery to the second story as well as offer privacy in the shower. The rainscreen was selected as cladding that offers an opaque counterpoint to the open screen while also promoting water drainage and circulation of air.

From the massing to the interior layout, the spaces and glazing were positioned to create a choreography that eschewed the need for interior doors, blinds, fences and pickets, and encouraged the connection to the landscape through long views.

The seemingly simple program of a Screened Porch and Owner’s Bath became an opportunity to solve for an uninspired interior experience while unlocking the potential of a unique site.

JURY COMMENTS (if applicable)

This shows the power of a small, well conceived and executed addition to be transformative for a house. The addition is well integrated into the existing house and site, yet still maintains its own expression and point of view. The detailing, material choices, and resolution of the elevations all work together to create a refined yet subtle statement. 

Compact but impactful small addition. Love the planted roof detail and its dual role as a design flourish and a privacy screening element.

The Lookout demonstrates how a relatively small intervention can fundamentally transform the experience of an existing home. The contrast between the solid upper volume and the transparent screened porch below, create a composition that feels both contemporary and sculptural while framing the exceptional long views to the surrounding landscape. The screened porch successfully extends the kitchen and dining areas outdoors, while the carefully positioned glazing and second-floor planter provide privacy without sacrificing openness or connection to nature. This small project is a strong example of achieving significant architectural impact through a focused and thoughtfully detailed addition.

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF

IMAGES (Captions and Photographer Credit)
1. Overlooking almost 200 acres, the Lookout was approached as a piece of sculpture for art consulting and collecting clients. Jennifer Hughes Photography
2. A rainscreen clad Owner's Bath and outdoor Planter are supported by steel posts surrounding a Screened Porch that rests on a brick plinth. Jennifer Hughes Photography
3. The raised planter and seasonal plantings adjacent to the Bathroom reinforce a pause for contemplation and connection to the natural world as well as privacy. Jennifer Hughes Photography
4. The Lookout uses windows sparingly with just a small punch in the Water Closet and saves the large glass expanse for the long views of the adjacent landscape. Jennifer Hughes Photography
5. The second story roof planter immediately connects those inside the Bathroom to the seasonal shifts in nature while also capturing rainwater and roof runoff. Jennifer Hughes Photography
6. The spaces and glazing were positioned to create a choreography that eschewed the need for interior doors and encouraged the connection to the landscape through long views. Jennifer Hughes Photography
7. Pickets under the railing were deemed unnecessary due to the structural nature of the screens, allowing open views. Jennifer Hughes Photography
8. The original wood-burning fireplace was removed to become the primary access to the Screened Porch, enhancing views and passive cooling. Jennifer Hughes Photography