Type/ Residential
Time/ 2020-2022
Client/ Private
Status/ Under Construction

Structure Design: McPherson Design
Landscape Architect: Ann P. Stokes Landscape Architects
Civil Engineer: MidAtlantic Surveying and Land Design, Inc.
General Contractor: Covington Contracting Inc

Gallery House is a new construction project in Norfolk, VA situated on a picturesque waterfront property. The site design poses a significant challenge due to its location in a complex flood zone and the Chesapeake Bay protection Area. GARC worked closely with our landscape architect, structural engineer, and general contractor during the design phase to create a solution that maximizes the site's beauty while adhering to all zoning, floodplain, and environmental regulations imposed by the city.

Since it is located in a flood zone, the first-floor habitable space has to be 6 feet above the ground per zoning code. So the main challenge of site design is to create a smooth transition from the high level of first floor to the ground level.  To achieve this, we have designed terraces on both the front and back of the building. The front terrace descends from the main level to the guest parking area, known as the motor court. A two-car garage is located near the secondary entrance, closer to the street side, with a separate driveway for street access.

The upper terrace on the back of the building connects the art studio, main common area, and master suites. It leads to the lower terrace with a swimming pool via wide steps.

The building's floor plan is designed to offer beautiful water views from all common spaces and bedrooms. The two-story main building houses a great room with living, dining, and kitchen areas on the first floor, and bedrooms and an office suite on the second floor. Large patio doors and covered porch on both floors seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor spaces, enabling our clients to fully appreciate the mild weather of Southern Virginia and the picturesque views of the lot.

Adjacent to the main building on the north side, a one-story wing houses the master suite and a secondary entrance with accompanying spaces such as a mudroom, laundry, and butler's pantry. The master suite also has its own private deck.

On the south side of the main building, connected via a breezeway, there's a one-story building with a high vaulted ceiling which will serve as an art studio for our client to create and showcase her artwork. The entire house is designed to act as a gallery for our client's artworks with special attention to artwork placement and lighting design.