Shou sugi ban panels detail the front façade; clerestory windows admit light but maintain privacy.
Tasked with designing a modern dwelling on a wooded site in Bethesda’s Mohican Hills enclave, Robert Gurney conceived a two-story structure facing the street with a four-story volume that takes advantage of the site’s sloping grade in back. Two concrete side walls embrace the home, with front and rear façades clad in shou sugi ban. Facing the woods, the four-story rear is mostly glass.
A foot bridge connects the street and the entry, beyond which open, airy interiors beckon. Says Gurney, “The project is modulated as a series of experiences that leads you into a tranquil environment from which to enjoy the serene, wooded landscape.”
Architecture: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect. Interior Design: Therese Baron Gurney, ASID, Baron Gurney Interiors. Builder: Commonwealth Home Design.