THE BIRCH BOWER
OAKLAND, MD

Located at Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Maryland, The Birch Bower is a new, accessible house designed for maximum flexibility. It can be used as a one-bedroom retreat for the owner, a gathering place for family and friends, or a rental property for vacationers.

The house is composed of two saltbox volumes that are connected by a one-story entry hyphen, which leads directly to a path to the lake. The communal living, dining, and kitchen spaces occupy one volume, encouraging gathering through its open plan, while all the guest bedroom suites are situated in the other volume, for greater privacy. An owner’s suite with a private roof deck is located above the communal areas and is accessed by a hidden stair. All the rooms and spaces are oriented to maximize views of the lake.

Clad in board and batten poly-ash siding, the saltbox forms create a visual contrast with the adjacent flat-roofed volumes, which are wrapped in a sustainable Accoya wood rainscreen. Inside, the materials palette prioritizes practicality and longevity. A polished radiant concrete floor in the living, dining, and kitchen wing was selected for its durability and ease of cleaning. Additionally, highly efficient photovoltaic panels are mounted to the south side of the saltbox gable roofs to optimize energy efficiency. The house was constructed atop the site of a previous, poorly constructed house to minimize site disturbance and preserve the existing native vegetation. For accessibility, the house features a continuous accessible route that connects the driveway, entry, and all first floor spaces, including an accessible suite. There is also an accessible path that links the house directly to the lake and dock through a protected wooded shoreline.