“Lost” Baltimore County Waterfront House “Found”.

My first opportunity to design a house on a waterfront lot in Baltimore County, MD, occurred  in 2008, when I worked with a couple to create a 2,000 square foot, three bedroom  house to fit a tight site (actually an undersized lot) on a tidal cove adjacent to  Chesapeake Bay, in the Holly Neck area of Eastern Baltimore County. Due to the limitations of the Critical Area requirements, the house was elevated above Baltimore County Flood Elevation guidelines, and limited to a minimal lot area coverage. Owner requirements for a screened porch, open air sundeck, and direct exterior access to a pier were key design elements. Garage/storage only were allowed beneath first floor.

Due to the negative impacts of the recession about this time, I was not involved during construction, so I was unaware the house had ever been built (assumed “lost”), until just recently, while performing a Google Earth search of another waterfront lot in nearby Middle River, I “found” the footprint of this house in Holly Neck. To my  surprise, it ended up being built relatively close to what I had designed, with the exception of the elimination of a few windows and a covered porch off of the Master Bedroom (above the screened porch).

Exterior (front) view from NE

Exterior (South) side from SE

Exterior view from west (waterfront) Second floor porch not constructed.

Because design/creativity is a very time consuming, personal and emotional endeavor, it is extremely disappointing to me when/if a project is not fully realized as a completed construction.

Therefore, I am pleased to now know that one of my “babies” is alive and well, and providing enjoyable living for its owners.