When North Potomac homeowners called on Anthony Wilder Design/Build to create a party-ready escape in their barren backyard, the team started by making a wish list with the clients.

“They imagined a retreat that was separate from the house, so we came up with an open-concept space that allowed for entertainment and relaxation all year round,” recalls principal Anthony Wilder, who designed the project with colleague and architect Sean Mullin.

Now complete, the pavilion with a grilling station—dubbed a “gravilion” by the crew—also houses a lounge area and a kitchen with custom cabinetry, a sink and a refrigerator. Hewn from Douglas fir using traditional joinery techniques, the structure is held together without screws or nails. “The mortise-and-tenon joinery adds to the beauty of the project,” Wilder reflects.

One challenge facing the team was how to hide wiring in the exposed timber ceiling. “The solution,” notes Mullin, “was to build up the roof cavity to accommodate the wires.” Four heaters angled down from the main beams warm the space in cooler months.

A raised, seven-person hot tub and a curved sectional centered on a fire pit complete the idyll. Connecting to the main residence, a stone walkway lined with large boulders accentuates the natural aesthetic.