Mark Voelkel, APLD, the Chapter's past Vice President, has been awarded first place in APLD's 2006 Residential Design Competition in the "Over $150,000" category for a large-scale residence in Potomac. In designing and overseeing the construction of the project, particularly the back yard pool, spa, sunken trampoline, outdoor kitchen and pergolas, Mark faced considerable topographical, geological, environmental and natural constraints; at one point he concluded the pool location had to be moved farther away from the house because its intended placement was directly over unstable subsurface soil of a backfilled sediment pool! Pergolas were incorporated to facilitate a natural and gradual transition from the apex of the house to the entertainment and pool areas. Plantings, especially in the front of the house, needed to be deer-resistant given the location of the property.

Additional photographs of the project can be seen by clicking here. We hope to have a first-hand look at the property as part of a Chapter meeting, possibly this fall. Congratulations, Mark!