Located on a private peninsula in St. Michaels, Maryland, this 6,000-square-foot home was designed to make the most of its Chesapeake Bay setting. Surrounded by water on three sides, the site offered wide views and unique challenges, from a tight building footprint to shoreline restrictions. Architect Jonathan Rivera, builder Mueller Homes, and Absolute Landscape & Turf Services worked together to create a home that connects the indoors and outdoors while staying within the site’s limits.
Building Within Constraints
With a narrow and irregular footprint defined by setback regulations, architect Jonathan Rivera approached the design by placing the home as close to the water as legally possible. “This was one of the most challenging sites I’ve had the opportunity to work on,” Rivera says. “But the views are incredible, and the goal was to take full advantage of them.”
Rivera designed the layout to follow the shape of the land and positioned the home to capture light and cross-breezes. Screened porches on the east and west sides and entry doors on the north and south allow for natural airflow through the house. This creates a comfortable, open-air feel that fits the property’s waterfront setting.
Simple Forms, Practical Details
The homeowners were drawn to the clean lines and practical style of a modern coastal farmhouse. Rivera used those preferences as a starting point while designing a layout that responded to the land. “They shared inspiration images, and my job was to take those ideas and adapt them to the site and budget,” he says.
The resulting form is shaped by the buildable area, with materials and structural details selected for durability and consistency. Working with Mueller Homes, Rivera ensured that the finished product reflected the design intent at every stage.
Outdoor Design with Purpose
The home’s connection to the outdoors is supported by a landscape plan from Absolute Landscape & Turf Services. The focal point is a 40×20-foot pool and large patio area that anchors the backyard. The layout was designed to align with the hardscape connected to the home and provide a clear view of the Chesapeake Bay.
“The pool and patio were placed to line up with the outdoor kitchen and living areas,” says a representative from Absolute. “It’s all about making movement between spaces easy and intuitive.”
The team worked closely with engineers to position the pool at the correct elevation, accounting for setbacks and transitions between structures. The result is a layout where all the outdoor features—pool, terrace, kitchen, and patio—fit together without disrupting the views or flow.
Elevated Views
An elevated terrace adds both functionality and sightlines to the outdoor space. “We raised the terrace to give the homeowners an unobstructed view of the bay,” says Absolute. “It also extends the usable area and ties into the other outdoor features.”
The terrace connects to the patio and pool below, while also serving as a quiet area to enjoy the setting. It helps make the property feel more connected to the water without blocking any major views.
Coordination Across Teams
The outdoor hardscaping and porch designs were completed before the builder was selected, so early planning and coordination were key. The location of the pool, for example, was already set to avoid interfering with the view. “Our job was to work within those parameters and create a design that fit the space,” says Absolute. “The final layout is simple, direct, and fits the natural setting.”
Rivera and Absolute worked in tandem to ensure the indoor and outdoor designs supported each other. Clean transitions and consistent elevations helped unify the property, giving it a clear and connected feel throughout.
Designed for How People Live
This home was designed to reflect how the family wanted to live on the water—making use of views, light, and outdoor space. From layout to materials, each decision was made with function in mind. The architecture responds to the site, the landscape complements the home, and the overall design supports a relaxed and usable way of living.
“We didn’t want to just place a house on this land—we wanted it to fit,” says Rivera. “Everything from the orientation to the outdoor features was done to support how the family experiences the space.”
Project Credits:
- Architecture: Jonathan Rivera Architecture, jonathanrivera.com
- Landscape and Pool Design: Absolute Landscape & Turf Services, absolutescapes.com
- Builder: Mueller Homes, muellerhomes.com
- Photography: Peak Visuals, peakvisualsus.com
