The aging split-level that occupied this lot in Lake Barcroft wasn’t much of a looker, but the couple who bought it knew they’d stumbled upon a rarity in this real estate market: waterfront property. They hired Falls Church architect Charles Moore to maneuver a whole-house remodel, completed in 2011, that maximizes views of the serene lake in back.
“The most spectacular spot in the house is the master bedroom ‘cube’ perched high above the property,” says Moore, who worked with senior associate Jill Gilliand and Falls Church builder GN Contracting to rethink and reorient the home’s primary forms.
Though the street-facing front facade still maintains a low profile, the rear of the residence achieves some serious vertical, thanks to a steep, sloping yard that drops 46 feet down to the lake’s edge. Occupying the uppermost floor, the owners’ suite feels like a treehouse, enjoying unobstructed views of water and woods.
“Floor-to-ceiling windows [on two sides] create a wonderful connection and transparency to the outdoors,” Moore says. Maple wood floors and a floating walnut wall partition behind the bed complete the aesthetic.
Speaking of that handsome wall partition—it also serves a secondary purpose. To avoid cluttering the view with dressers and other furniture, the plan tucks a walk-in closet, extra storage and a dressing area behind it, out of sight.
Clerestory windows wrap the space on all sides, channeling natural light inside during the day. Motorized solar blinds hidden inside a wide valance can be lowered to block the morning sun and prevent unwanted heat gain, but they aren’t really needed for modesty.
“The floor elevation of the master bedroom is approximately 66 feet above the water level of the lake,” Moore says. “Looking out into the foliage, the space is quite private.”