Project: Locust Hill, McLean, VA
Architect: David Jones Architects, Washington, DC: David Jones, principal;
Scot McBroom, associate & project architect;
Michael Cathey, architect;
Richard Lanier, architect
Contractor: BOWA Builders, McLean, VA
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Creating a Rich History in Two Years
Locust Hill, a new stone and clapboard American vernacular home, sits on a hilltop surrounded by locust and walnut trees. Designed by David Jones Architects (DJA) of Washington, DC, and built for a couple and their three young children in McLean, VA, the project spanned two years. In this time, the architects attempted to create not only a traditionally styled residence, but also one with a rich sense of history.
“In my first meeting with the clients,” explains David Jones, Principal at DJA, “I suggested the image of a stone farmhouse situated at the top of the hill with a porch overlooking the front lawn and road below. We wanted to create a large house that would meet our clients’ functional requirements and needs for space, yet create a family home that would appear modest in size and proportions.” DJA embarked on the design of a new residence that would appear as though it had originally constructed when McLean was farmland and forest, and to which additions had been made over the years.
This narrative, generational approach blends historical vernacular styles in a wholly convincing manner that, when combined with careful siting, results in a residence that appears to have grown organically out of both the site and the architectural traditions of the region.
“The main two-story block might have been the original farmstead,” says Jones, “and a large stone outbuilding might have been built at about the same time.” If these buildings had been constructed in the mid-19th century, the era to which their styles refer, the “additions,” telescoping stone and clapboard wings, would have been constructed in later years as the family prospered.
With this new prosperity, the first floor of the original farmhouse would have been converted into living areas – living and dining rooms, study and stair hall – while the extensions would have contained primarily private spaces for the family. The pool and pool house, another sign of a well-to-do family, may have been added years later, in Greek Revival style to maintain historical continuity. Finally, the breezeway might have been constructed most recently to connect the main wing to the outbuilding, now converted into a garage and guesthouse.
The “original” stone building features a Greek Revival porch, facing the street, and an entry portico at its gable end. Inside, an inviting hall opens into the first-floor study, living room and dining room. The hall has a 22-ft. ceiling and is illuminated by two wood windows of historical proportions. A monumental wood stair wraps around the room, interrupted by a landing before reaching the second floor. A master bedroom, sitting and dressing rooms and master and secondary full bathrooms are located on this floor. Though the home is spacious, the interiors are designed to create warm, usable living spaces.
From Lawton Street, visitors first see the stone farmhouse and catch a glimpse of the outbuilding. As they proceed up the rise of the property’s private drive, the full architectural and historical narrative of the residence is revealed: The north wing, breezeway, pool and pool house come into view and the organic relationship between the parts and the whole becomes evident. – Hadiya Strasberg
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