Effortless Living in a Contemporary Retreat

Project Overview

This project presented a distinctive opportunity to design and build a one-of-a-kind custom home that balanced accessibility, functionality, and timeless craftsmanship.

Design Intent

The client approached us with a clear vision: to create a one-level home that seamlessly accommodated ADA-compliant living while also integrating workspace needs for his automotive workshop. From the earliest stages of design, every room, doorway, and circulation path was thoughtfully planned to ensure comfort, accessibility, and ease of movement throughout the home.

Site and Layout

Situated on a well-sized lot in Annandale, the property offered an ideal canvas for a single-level design. Although the home was constructed on a crawlspace foundation, careful planning maintained the accessible intent of a one-level layout. The house was positioned to maximize natural light across the main living areas while maintaining privacy from neighboring properties. The design emphasized broad sight lines, open transitions, and easy access between interior and exterior spaces—all while maintaining a cohesive architectural rhythm.

Design Solutions and Features

Accessibility and Flow

One-level living was central to the design. All primary spaces—including the kitchen, great room, bedrooms, and garage—reside on a single, continuous elevation. The crawlspace foundation provided flexibility for routing utilities and improving comfort while keeping all thresholds and entries designed for ADA-friendly access. Wide doorways, flush transitions, and clear floor paths ensure barrier-free mobility throughout. The laundry room was intentionally placed adjacent to the primary suite, allowing for effortless day-to-day function without unnecessary steps or level changes.

Material and Craftsmanship

The home’s exterior showcases full brick veneer on all sides, providing durability, low maintenance, and a sense of timeless permanence. A speakeasy-style window in the custom front door adds a personal touch and architectural interest, while exposed wood beams accentuate the main living area, bringing warmth and character to the home’s interior.

Garage and Workshop Integration

Given the owner’s passion for automotive work, the garage was designed to exceed standard residential dimensions. This oversized workshop space includes high ceilings, reinforced slab areas for equipment, and ample storage, ensuring it functions as both a personal workspace and an extension of the home.

Client Collaboration

This was a deeply collaborative project, where the homeowner’s background and design sensibilities guided many of the final decisions. Every element—from the layout and finishes to the hardware and fixtures—was selected to reflect both the client’s personality and practical needs. The result is a home that combines accessibility, craftsmanship, and individuality, perfectly suited for the client’s lifestyle today and for years to come.