A Modern Woodland Retreat in the Heart of Washington, DC
The Architecture and Experience of 2807 Chesterfield Place
There are homes designed for practicality, and homes designed for escape. Rarely does one accomplish both with sincerity. 2807 Chesterfield Place NW is one of those rare exceptions, a primary residence that carries the serenity of a retreat while supporting the rhythms of everyday life.
It begins with the land. Set at the end of a quiet Forest Hills cul-de-sac, the site was steep, wooded, and dramatic. Instead of building something that fought the terrain, the original developer partnered with Travis Price, FAIA, known for his willingness to let challenging landscapes guide the architecture. The result is a home shaped by its surroundings rather than imposed upon them.
A Design Grounded in Place
The front elevation introduces the home with quiet restraint: red Roman brick, strong horizontal lines, and a low profile that blends into the natural setting, an urban reflection of the organic principles advanced by Frank Lloyd Wright. Once inside, the architecture reveals its full intention. The house feels as if it rises from the earth, opening upward toward the trees.
At the rear, tall steel structures extend five stories high, protecting the windows and echoing the vertical rhythm of the forest beyond. Inside, spaces unfold around a central staircase that becomes both a sculptural element and a light channel. Several of the stair landings float, lifted away from the rear wall with structural glass. The effect creates a sense of levitation, carrying natural light through every level of the home.
Travis Price & "The Spirit of Place"
This quiet drama is characteristic of Travis Price’s architectural philosophy, which has long been defined by what he calls “The Spirit of Place,” architecture that honors ecology, mythology, and technology. Rather than designing objects, he designs experiences. Rather than manipulating a site, he listens to it. His projects take shape not just from the needs of daily life, but from deeper narrative roots. A building becomes a vessel for meaning, memory, and a sense of place. This home fits firmly within that lineage: modern in vocabulary, mythic in spirit.
Light, Serenity, and Everyday Function
Despite its striking verticality, the home was designed for daily living. The spaces are generous but never overwhelming, intimate but not enclosed. Flexible rooms can serve as bedrooms, multiple home offices, guest quarters, or provide amenities like a personal fitness or wellness studio.
This combination speaks to what many modern homeowners seek: A home that supports daily life while offering moments of calm usually reserved for getaways. The house functions with the practicality expected of a primary residence, yet its architecture introduces something gentler: places to pause, breathe, and look outward. Its connection to the landscape creates a sense of distance from the pace of Washington, DC, even though the city sits just beyond the hillside. It becomes a home that supports routine but also softens it.
A Conversation with the Landscape
Throughout the interior, glass plays a defining role. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the forest, terraces connect to the hillside, and shifting natural light animates the brick and steel. From level to level, the home maintains an ongoing dialogue with its surroundings. Every vantage point offers a renewed relationship with the landscape, whether filtered through morning light or the changing seasons.
