PROJECT  House in a Clearing

LOCATION Owings Mills, Maryland, US​

ARCHITECT McInturff Architects

CLIENT

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAM Mark McInturff FAIA, Jeffrey McInturff

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
CONTRACTOR Mike Bowers Design Alternatives, Inc.

ENGINEERS
Robert Neubauer PE Neubauer Consulting Engineers




PHOTOGRAPHER Julia Heine Jeff McInturff

CONSULTANTS (if applicable)

PROJECT COMPLETION DATE  1/15/2022

PROJECT SUMMARY
This is a house for a highly particular program and location. On a gently sloping clearing in a forest, it is intended as a filter through which the site flows, unimpeded, while the orientation controls the seasonal sun entering the glassy, transparent house.

Facing the east and west sides of the property, solid masonry walls bookend the body of the house. The long facades facing the slope are entirely glass, placing the occupants on a platform open above and below to the woods beyond. The south face is pushed toward the tree line, providing full shading from summer sun while admitting the low rays of winter. The north face needs no shading as it opens to the long views into the meadow and trees.

The main spaces — living, dining, kitchen and workspaces — occupy one end of the platform while a bedroom and gym occupy the other.

Separating the two is a masonry core containing bathrooms, stairs and mechanical spaces, as well as two small wood-lined rooms on a minimal second floor.

All materials have been chosen for their authenticity and longevity; steel, wood, concrete, concrete masonry and glass are the only materials used inside and out. There is no drywall and there is virtually no paint.

JURY COMMENTS (if applicable)

We admired the rigor and discipline of the design. It uses modest, industrial materials in an authentic way. This is unabashed immersion in nature.

IMAGES – CAPTIONS & CREDITS

Image 1  Meadow facade viewed as approaching house along drive. Julia Heine
Image 2  Meadow facade viewed as approaching house along drive. Julia Heine
Image 3  Seating area in main space overlooks woods beyond. Julia Heine
Image 4  South facade is heavily shaded by the adjacent tree line Julia Heine
Image 5  Kitchen, living and dining fill the simple steel frame in the main living area. Julia Heine
Image 6  The north face reflects the late afternoon sun on the woods at the end of the meadow. Julia Heine
Image 7  Privacy for the primary bedroom is provided by the surrounding woods. Julia Heine
Image 8  North facade at dusk viewed from meadow. Julia Heine

MEDIA FOR DOWNLOAD
Project PDF