The owners of this house in Massachusetts Avenue Heights — a tree-lined residential enclave — retained Richardson & Associates to provide lush outdoor spaces while also addressing architectural shortcomings. To draw light into the house and provide a much-needed mud room, Joe suggested a side addition that is a solarium by day and a glowing lantern room by night. Sliding doors on three sides bring in sunlight and breezes.

At the rear garden, a shade-casting heritage Willow Oak is protected with a pervious gravel ground cover. A water feature, firepit, and outdoor kitchen were added to the dining and lounge patio, which is bordered by ferns and other shade tolerant plants.

The existing screened-in porch now accommodates a top deck with large doors that open to an unobstructed view of the National Cathedral from the master bedroom. Down below, stepping stones meander past the porch creating a secret garden feeling through the greenery while leading to the entertainment area. At the street front, dense plantings rise from an old stone wall to the front portico to create an exuberant, yet private sensibility.