5D20E21B-0B03-4470-94B7-202905EF1E216F58721B-2383-4B77-9E7D-A6F1A191FA88AD3CE729-6712-49A4-9AC7-9A6C03C30F7F

Contemporary River House Mathews County, VA Residential

Project Partners
Completion Date
2016
Services Provided
  • Architecture
  • Landscape Architecture
  • Interior Design
Recognition
  • 2023 • Modern Richmond Tour
  • 2019 • Virginia Living 'The House by the River' Article
  • 2018 • Dezeen 'Virginia Cabin by 3north Features Fully Glazed Corner with River Views' Article

Process

This sleek riverfront house was designed to serve as a second home. The objective was to create a streamlined, minimalist space that included an open living area, modestly sized master suite, and thoughtful storage options. Visitors approach the property via a long drive that leads into an enclosed parking courtyard. Here, the waterfront is deliberately obscured, creating a slow reveal that delivers its payoff inside, where a 17-foot glass wall frames a striking river views. Large window panels along the southeast corner fold back accordion-style, exposing the interior to the outdoors. The porch is covered by the roof’s 16-foot overhang, which triples the home’s living space and facilitates entertaining. Guests can wander from the porch to the pool area, where the raised wall that surrounds it eliminates the need for standard fencing and allows the pool area to blend into the landscape. The pool house was sited to align with the waterfront and includes a separate guest quarters with a changing room, bath, bedroom and outdoor shower. When viewed from the river, the black Boral siding gives the impression that the house is receding into the landscape.