South Bethany, DE —
4,800 SF, 3-level beachfront home inspired by sand break fencing, with precise spacing that gives the façade a wavelike effect. The thoughtfully designed sawtooth roof is framed with engineered lumber to maintain a thin roof profile. The steel moment frames span across the floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize ocean views and help brace the structure against lateral loads. A 1st floor exterior deck cantilevers 17 feet overlooking the beach dune, with viewing balconies on the 2nd and 3rd floors. The foundation system is comprised of circular steel piles and the structure is designed to withstand expected loads for flood hazard zone VE and category D wind exposure.
The project is the recipient of the Annapolis Home Magazine Excellence in Design Award (Merit in Residential Architecture); Home & Design, Design Excellence Award (Architecture Grand Award); AIA Chesapeake Excellence in Design (Merit Award Residential); NKBA Baltimore Chapter (First Place Medium Bath); Builder’s Choice Award (Mentioned in Bathroom Category) and AIA Potomac Valley (Merit Award).
Architect: Donald Lococo Architects
Image Credit: Anice Hoachlander
Amenia, NY —
On occasion, we have the privilege to work on a project where the architectural design jumps off the page. This custom home, designed by partner WC RALSTON ARCHITECTS, is one of these projects. The private residence is currently under construction in upstate New York. The large, soaring cantilevered roof lines and glass box interior with its minimal wall locations was a real challenge to design. The fireboxes became the main lateral and gravity carrying elements for the house, which also has a full story of unbalanced soil loads.
Client: WC Ralston Architects
Rendering Credit: WC Ralston Architects
Bluemont, VA –
This three-level, single-family home is built into a steep hill using 20-foot retaining walls, a balcony that cantilevers 14-feet from the foundation walls, and 8-foot cantilevered roof eaves. Composite steel floors and floor-to-ceiling glass windows with invisible sills frame the view beyond the floating fireplace. A custom-designed, circular staircase leads to the subterranean, indoor pool. A substantial terrace with an infinity pool and hot tub extends the living space outdoors.
Client: RAAD Studio
Amenia, New York —
We are providing structural engineering services for the construction of this 7,669 GSF, three-level, single-family residence that features an open stair tower that extends 45-feet to the roof. The house footprint requires that it be pushed 15-feet into the hillside.
Client: WC Ralston Architects
Bethesda, MD –
7,000 square-foot, new single-family house, replacing the original structure that was destroyed by a felled tree. The project included an L-shaped main house designed using expanses of precisely engineered steel trusses with full-story glass panels. Glass boxes cantilever out at various heights to create a courtyard effect. Fixed glass, retractable windows and doors overlook a terrace and adjacent pool pavilion. Recipient of the 2018 Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) and 2020 International Architecture Awards.
Client: David Jameson, FAIA
Photo Credit: Paul Warchol Photography
Fauquier County, VA –
15,000 square-foot, three-level single-family house with an 11,000 square-foot guest house and a 3,000 square-foot detached pool house. The main living level of the house has glazing all around the exterior perimeter and a sloped trapezoidal central core that provides the lateral force resistance through the center of the house. One end of the main house cantilevers 16-feet beyond the perimeter of the foundation walls. Cantilevered retaining walls up to 12-feet in height were required due to the steep grades present on the site. Recipient of the 2020 Washington Architectural Foundation (WAF) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA|DC) and 2020 International Architecture Awards.
Client: David Jameson, FAIA
Photo Credit: Paul Warchol Photography
This 6,600 GSF three-level, single-family home is clad in stone and wood and features a 7-foot cantilevered roof and decorative steel eyebrows. The central living area is surrounded by interlocking secondary spaces, connected by an oak, glass and steel staircase. An exterior dining space appears to float above the recessed garage and cantilevered terraces, and the extensive balconies and patios expand the livable area that leads to an inground pool and spa. The home received the 2020 James M. Scott Exceptional Design Merit Award.
Client: Cunningham Quill Architects
Photo Credit: #anicehoachlander @studiohdp
Great Falls, VA -
6,500 square-foot addition to a three-level, single-family house with large, glazed walls and two-story open floor areas. A 12-foot section of cantilevered floor was provided at one end of the house using an external steel truss and a braced steel frame. Stacked, mullion-less windows required steel plates to support out-of-plane wind loads along the two-story spaces.
Client: David Jameson, FAIA
Bethesda, MD -
6,300 square-foot three-level single family house with a linked carport. The entry has a cantilevered, sloped roof and the faux masonry chimney and light well extend above the center of the roofline. Unique framing was required to maintain vertical support for the glass windows that wrap around one corner of the house. A custom-built, cranked interior steel stair utilizes bent channels and 2x2 HSS shapes.
Client: Cunningham+Quill Architects
Ellicott City, MD -
12,000 square-foot, three-level, single-family house and a 1,000 square-foot detached garage. The main living space is elliptical in shape with a cantilevered roof structure and canopies around the perimeter. The project required a wall structure for the indoor pool and two outdoor terraces feature low retaining walls to visually extend the living space.
Client: Cunningham+Quill Architects
Clifton, MD -
5,000 square-foot, three-level addition to an existing single-family house. Underpinning, 15-feet in height, was provided at the corner of the existing garage and custom-fabricated, exposed roof trusses incorporated LVL collar ties. Large, open rooms and flush ceiling planes are achieved using built-up HSS shapes with continuous steel angles for joist support. HSS 5x5 moment frames were used to create a cantilevered balcony off the side of the house.
Client: Richard Williams, Architect
Falling Waters, WV -
2,000 square-foot, two-story house with two simple, cast concrete volumes rise seamlessly from the limestone to create a perch for the steel and glass structure. A grid of steel columns with cantilevered balconies create framed views and blur the line between inside and outside. The site is an abandoned limestone quarry with expansive views of the Potomac River.
Client: Wiedemann Architects
Bethesda, MD –
Structural design and construction administration services were provided for a 5,500 SF addition to a three level single family house having large glazed walls and two story open floor areas. The residence was steel framed due to the tall glass towers that were utilized at the upper floor levels. Lateral stability was achieved by fixed welded connections between the columns and beams at various locations in the structure.
Client: David Jameson, FAIA
Bethesda, MD –
Structural design and construction administration services were provided for a 4,500 SF addition to a three level single family house. A central courtyard was provided at the interior of the house. A the library and living rooms two-story spaces were provided requiring a customized wall design utilizing PSL posts. A 5-foot wide cantilevered canopy was provided at the entrance to the house.
Client: David Jameson, FAIA
McLean, VA –
Structural design and construction administration services were provided for a 4,500 SF, carbon neutral, three level single family house. SIPS wall panels were used for the exterior walls and roof construction. Pre-insulated Superior wall concrete panels having an R value of 12.5 were used for the exterior foundation walls. These panels utilize 70% less concrete than a conventional poured in place wall system. Geothermal heating and cooling systems were used in the house.
Client: Cunningham + Quill Architects
Bethesda, MD –
Structural design and construction administration services were provided for a 12-foot x 16-foot tea house suspended of two rigid steel frames. A cantilevered concrete pier was provided beneath the main floor structure invisible to exterior which braced the tea house from out-of-plane wind loads. Two diamond shaped steel roof trusses were used to suspend the floor structure at the four corners of the floor. Duct work was closely coordinated around the steel framed floor structure to minimize the total depth of the floor assembly.
Client: David Jameson, FAIA
Bluemont, VA –
6,000 SF three-level, single-family house with a 2,000 GSF detached pool house and garage. The main living area is composed of a steel framed, glass enclosed structure with an 8-foot cantilevered roof on 2-sides of the room. Full height, two-story conditions at several interior spaces required specialized wall designs for the increased wall heights.
Client: Cunningham + Quill Architects
NW Washington, DC —
New, high performance, 3,650 square-foof three-story, detached house designed to the PHIUS+ 2015 standard for energy efficiency. With an array of 36, 360-watt photovoltaic panels, the house is modeled to be net-zero energy for the planned occupancy. The house has five bedrooms, a one-bedroom apartment and a terrace with permeable pavers.
Architect: Robin McGrew AIA, CPHC, Architect and Certified Passive House Consultant
Builder: Allen Built Inc., Certified Passive House Builder.
Bethany Beach, DE –
8,500 SF, 3-level coastal residence designed for a high-wind beach environment, defined by layered horizontal volumes, deep cantilevers, and a projecting second-floor pool. Steel columns and beams remain exposed throughout the home as a deliberate architectural feature, supporting long spans and expansive glazing while bracing the structure against coastal wind loads. A third-floor deck cantilevers 15 feet beyond the primary structure, generating significant uplift forces that are resolved through a deep foundation system of more than 50 timber piles designed for both gravity and uplift resistance. The garage is conceived as a structural steel box to allow long-term flexibility for greenhouse modifications and substantial green roof loading, including the potential for future tree planting. The home is located in flood hazard zone AO, with non-structural elements detailed to break away during a flood event while the primary structural frame remains intact.
Architect: SEA Green Studio
Image Credit: SEA Green Studio