The owners of a lot on Weems Creek in Annapolis tapped architect Marta Hansen and Matt Long of Gate One Builders to craft a dream home for their retirement years. Hansen conceived a Shingle-style abode with a modern-farmhouse vibe and a strong connection to its scenic lot. To further that connection, the design team also created a detached pavilion (right), which links to the main house via an extended ipe boardwalk and stone pathways that wind through hillside plantings and woodland paths.

The gabled, 400-square-foot pavilion “is sited on a point of land overlooking the creek and the small enclave of custom homes surrounding it—so it has 180-degree views,” Long explains. “It echoes the home’s architectural features, including a vaulted board-and-batten ceiling, columns and screened radius transoms.” The structure features an open area for al fresco dining. Full-color bluestone paves the space, which is made cozy by a wood-burning fireplace with a gas insert and rattan furniture that beckons into the cooler months.

Architecture: Marta Hansen, AIA, LEED AP, Hansen Architects, Annapolis, Maryland. Builder: Matt Long, Gate One Builders, Annapolis, Maryland. Photography: David Burroughs.