Tucked into a neighborhood right outside the heart of Bethesda, Maryland, this 3,800-square-foot modernist home was designed to guarantee longevity while keeping a sustainable mindset from start to finish. Elements such as recycled tires for roofing, low VOC paint, and certified hardwood were all utilized to prolong the home’s lifespan while reducing its impact on its surrounding environment.

When working within the limits of pre-engineered wood roof trusses and limited stock material sizes, the approach to this spec-house was two-fold. First, to build a house within the limits of a material budget and limited stock. Second, to be able to generate spaces within the home that complement the site, allowing light and visual continuity to flow from one room to the next.

This house is composed of two simple gable roof volumes of stucco, each sitting on a foundation of stone. A third intermediary volume of mahogany is located in the center to mediate the size and mass of the two larger volumes, acting as the entry point for the home. The front side of the house is selective in allowing visual access from the interior to the street, while the rear views are maximized with floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors, generously embracing the home’s forest-filled surroundings.