Acton Cove Encourages Connection to the Outdoors, While Providing Privacy

 An active, boat-loving family wanted a home on the Chesapeake Bay in the Annapolis, Md., area. The family found a small lot, and while the existing house did not meet the owners’ needs, it provided them an opportunity to build a home steps away from the water in downtown Annapolis.

As the previous house was demolished, Bates Masi + Architects discovered layers of old bulkheads and fill as well as design challenges related to the harsh coastal environment and privacy issues. The firm’s solution was delivering a design that configured the layers of the site and envelope to provide both privacy and weather protection while encouraging a connection to the outdoors.

The outermost layer of the new home is the bulkhead itself, with a 2×8 ipe deck sitting on top and connecting several docks to the property. Deep overhangs protect the house and provide shade to the decks that surround it.

The second floor, which is also surrounded by cantilevered decks, is wrapped in layers of fixed ipe screens and operable canvas drapes. The drapes slide on a continuous track around the perimeter and can be configured to provide privacy at the master balcony, to block wind near the outdoor fireplace, or to shade the outdoor dining area.

The architects used materials for the various layers of the home to reflect the character of the working harbor, including weathering steel planters, 3×14 reclaimed heart pine siding, and woven rope and sail cloth details. The LEED Gold house employs LED lighting, geothermal heating and cooling, white roofing, and two layers of solar shading to reduce energy demands.