Nevis Pool & Garden Pavilion / Robert M. Gurney Architect

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Nevis Pool & Garden Pavilion

Nevis Pool & Garden Pavilion designed by American Washington-base Architects Robert M. Gurney Architect, Located in a neighborhood bordering Washington DC, USA. It’s more than just an extension to the living and recreational areas. Called a pool and garden pavilion, this structure creates a connection between the nearby forest and the pool and its terrace. The site is very beautifully located. It has the forest on one side and beautiful gardens with tall areas surrounding it from every other angle.

This suburban site has the advantage of being located adjacent to woodlands. A contemporary house surrounded by mature trees and manicured gardens anchors the site. A new swimming pool, stone walls, and terraces located behind the existing house organize the rear yard and establishes a dialogue between the existing house and a new pavilion. New paths, trees and structured plantings reinforce the geometry.

The new pavilion, intended for year round use, is strategically located to provide a threshold between the structured landscape and adjacent woodland. A low-pitched, terne coated stainless steel roof floats above a dry-stacked slate wall and mahogany volume. Five steel-framed glass doors along with frameless glass walls and mitered glass corners enclose the space, creating an environment that is surrounded by views of the structured landscape, pool and the adjacent woodland. The doors pivot to open the space much of the year while a large Rumford fireplace and heated floors provide a cozy counterpoint in winter months.

The interior contains a stainless steel kitchen component with seating, along with a small living space anchored by the fireplace. The blue stone flooring, stone and mahogany walls, and Douglas-fir ceiling create a warm, natural space. This new pavilion is intended to provide shelter from the harsh natural elements while simultaneously allowing the occupant to enjoy both the beautifully structured garden and the native, natural surroundings.

Project Data

Project name: Nevis Pool & Garden Pavilion
Location: Bethesda, Maryland, Washington DC, United States
Type: Small House, Renovation House
Program: an extension of the living and entertaining areas
Floor Area: approx 110 – 120 sqm
Completion Year: May, 2011

The people

Client / Owner / Developer: Privat
Architects: Robert M. Gurney Architect
Project Architect: John Riordan, Leed AP
Contractor: Ted Peterson Peterson & Collins
Engineer: D. Anthony Beale LLC
Text Description: © Courtesy of Robert M. Gurney Architect
Images: © Maxwell MacKenzie