Additions and Renovations to Whitehaven,
Washington, DC

Whitehaven was originally settled in the 18th century and was the land on ;which Thomas Main, an eminent nurseryman, had his nursery of imported and native plants which he sold to estate owners in the region, most notably Thomas Jefferson. The current house, which overlooks the Potomac River valley, dates from the 1840's and was visually altered during the Colonial Revival with the addition of horizontal siding and entrance pediment. Numerous additions were made to the original structure infilling and expanding original porches.

As part of the current project later mid-20th century additions of a carport and screened porch were removed and replaced with a two-story addition, compatible in style and scale with the existing structure, connected to the existing house at the lower level with a one story balustraded open walkway and by a continuous open-air wood patio on the second floor level. The addition contains a garage on the lower level and a single large open room on the upper level with stupendous views up and down the river. Extensive alterations and renovations were made to the existing house including bathrooms and kitchen. A new entry porch was added on the driveway side of the house and a new porch was added to the front of the original house. The various additions are laid out to better connect the existing house and interior rooms to the extensive surrounding landscape and the new swimming pool.