House in the Woods

Sited on a wooded slope adjacent to a meadow in Maryland's horse country, this house connects to the local farm vernacular through its simplicity of siting, form and detail. A straightforward L-shaped plan creates an entry court between the garage/ service wing and the house proper, where a great room on the first floor is oriented to take advantage of views into a wooded ravine to the north. South light is brought into the house through selective fenestration toward the approach road and clerestory windows beneath shed roofs whose bracketed eaves support generous overhangs while referring to nearby barns. Finally, a screened porch pavilion flies off of the body of the house projecting the eye, and the occupants, into the woods beyond.