What began as a basic screened porch addition progressed into artful ecology in this Bethesda, Md., backyard. The clients wanted the porch to be next to their kitchen, but architect Rick Schneider worried it would block too much of the home’s natural light. His suggestion was to pull the porch away from the house, raise it up on stilts (less harmful to surrounding trees) and create a freestanding structure connected by a deck. “We reversed the usual order,” says Schneider. “Now we have a deck that’s a nice courtyard space, and the porch can be treated as a separate architectural object. That also allowed us to have more fun and play around with a more modern design.”
This porch celebrates its purpose as a place to enjoy the outdoors with protection from bugs and rain. A steel and canvas canopy roof makes obvious its intent to collect rainwater for surrounding gardens. FSC-certified cedar boards generate three levels of transparency corresponding to the desired privacy on each elevation. Open screens face the house while a combination of louvers and slotted planks face garage and neighbors. An operable awning makes a blithe reference to beachfront food stands and creates a serving station for either deck or porch dining. Interior porch perks include a built-in bench and kids-only platform. Builder: DMI, Deborah Magono, Bethesda, Md.; Architect: Inscape Studio, Washington, D.C.; Photographer: Redmond Architectural Photography.
