Harkavy Residence in Potomac, Maryland by Robert M. Gurney Architect

This house of 2900 square feet is located on a one acre, wooded lot, adjacent to park land outside of Washington, DC. The house is sited away from the road and oriented toward views deep into the woods. The sequence of entry is defined by a series of walls, intended to privatize and delineate the approach and entry into the house. The walls, garage volume and house become a threshold between the road and the wooded parkland.

Harkavy Residence ©Anice Hoachlander

• Architect: Robert M. Gurney Architect
• Project Architect: Brian Tuskey
• Location: Potomac, Maryland
• Interior Designer: Therese Baron Gurney, ASID
• Engineer: D. Anthony Beale LLC
• Contractor: John Thompson of Freedom First Homes
• Photographer: Anice Hoachlander

Harkavy Residence Main Entrance ©Anice Hoachlander

The house is composed of three volumes articulated with varying roof forms. A two-story wood volume anchors the composition. A butterfly-shaped roof is employed to open views southward and sloped to funnel rainwater into a collection system. Large overhangs provide a sense of shelter and shade the openings below while maximizing sun exposure in the winter. The overhangs also serve to extend a visual connection to the outdoors. A shed-roofed volume, clad in corrugated galvalume incorporates the garage and service spaces. A third volume, housing the primary bedroom suite, is flat-roofed and sheathed in Corten steel.

Double Height Living Space ©Anice Hoachlander

The two story volume contains an open living, dining and kitchen space and two small offices on the second floor. The living space is double height, surrounded by views of the natural surrounding and flooded with light. The one story bedroom suite is a more intimate space, but remains light filled and open to the views.

Living Space and Hearth ©Anice Hoachlander

Interior detailing is minimal and crisp throughout. Brazilian cherry flooring and beech millwork combine with black window frames and black ground-faced block. Limestone, teak, stainless steel, natural aluminum and opaque and translucent glass contribute to the palette.

Harkavy Residence Front Facade ©Anice Hoachlander

With simple forms rendered in sensory materials, the house becomes a small part of the larger landscape, providing a place to witness trees changing colors, fog rolling in from the not too distant Potomac River and deer herds wandering to the edge of the woods.

Harkavy Residence Side Facade ©Anice Hoachlander

Harkavy Residence Rear Facade ©Anice Hoachlander

Dining Area and Kitchen Beyond ©Anice Hoachlander

Dining Area ©Anice Hoachlander

Stair ©Anice Hoachlander

Upstairs Office ©Anice Hoachlander

Master Bathroom ©Anice Hoachlander

Master Bathroom ©Anice Hoachlander

Harkavy Residence ©Anice Hoachlander

Harkavy Residence ©Anice Hoachlander

Harkavy Residence Exploded Axonometric

Harkavy Residence Site Plan

Harkavy Residence Section NorthEast

Harkavy Residence 2nd Floor Plan

Harkavy Residence Ist Floor Plan

Harkavy Residence Basement Plan

Harkavy Residence Elevation Southwest

Harkavy Residence Elevation South East

Harkavy Residence Elevation North West

Harkavy Residence Elevation North East

Tags: Maryland, Potomac

Category: House

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