The house at 6304 Old Dominion Dr. in McLean, Va., doesn’t look anything like the others on the street, and for a good reason. It was designed, according to architect Jihyon Kim, to emulate the penthouse of a high-rise apartment building.
“That context gave me the idea,” Kim said. “The property is so small and the footprint of the building is so simple, so you want to add some other elements to create some kind of pleasant complexity.”
A defining feature of penthouses is the view, so Kim filled most of the front-facing wall with floor-to-ceiling Andersen windows. Green, yellow and red paint were used to “spice up the exterior” and make it feel “playful,” he said.
The flat roof is another out-of-the-ordinary feature for a single-family residence, but Kim said it had a specific purpose: ballroom dancing. He and the owner share a fondness for the hobby and belong to the same dance class.
“You can enjoy the view and the flat area, and maybe you can host dance parties there,” Kim said.
The front entry leads to an open-concept main level that Kim designed to accommodate large gatherings. The kitchen, to the left as you enter, has two ovens and a large island with seating and a sink. Green window frames and doors throughout the main level add color to the mostly black-and-white design. This level includes a powder room and has space for a family room with a fireplace.
Floating stairs lead to the second level, where the primary suite bedroom has wood-paneled walls that Kim said “extend nature into the space.” The primary suite has a nearly 10- by 14-foot walk-in closet and an en suite bathroom with a two-sink vanity. Two bedrooms on this level share a bathroom, and another has an en suite bathroom. This level also has a washer and dryer.
A curved stairway leads from the second level to a vestibule that opens to the roof.
An in-law or guest suite is on the lower level, with a living room, kitchen, bedroom, full bathroom and laundry room.
$2,499,000
- Bedrooms/bathrooms: 4/5
- Approximate square-footage: 4,600
- Lot size: 8,900 square feet
- Features: The house was built in 2022 to replace a smaller one on the property. It has a flat roof suitable for entertaining, a wall of mostly windows and an in-law or guest suite on the lower level.
- Listing agent: Fahed Khatib, Washington Fine Properties