Anderson Architecture

Property Edge
Screening

Adjacent Properties
Screened

Native Plant
Species

9-months
build time

Project Overview

Woodline Retreat - From
Commercial Edge to Private
Escape

Turning a technically residential property into one that truly felt like home

Location
Harwich, MA

Architect
TBD

Project Type
Blended Residential

Completion
9 Months

Scope of Work

This seasonal family home sat on a lot squeezed between a restaurant and a commercial nursery, offering no sense of privacy or separation. The goal was simple but ambitious: transform the exposed property into a serene and secluded summer retreat that finally felt residential.

●Created a dense evergreen privacy screen along property edges
●Integrated a new architectural addition into the landscape with natural transitions
●Reorganized outdoor circulation to feel inward and protected
●Blended woodland surroundings into a curated yet natural-feeling residential retreat

We designed and installed a landscape that softened harsh boundaries and gave the property a clear residential identity. Screening, spatial reorganization, and strategic planting helped separate the home from its commercial surroundings while still honoring its woodland character.

On a coastal site where every square foot mattered — and every decision required approval — we created something truly rare: a retreat that feels effortless, sculptural, and quietly sustainable. From the custom soak pool to the granite fire pit that feels more like a monument than a fixture, this project became a study in how much impact you can make when you refuse to compromise beauty for footprint.

Design Challenges

Despite being technically residential, the lot felt like an extension of the neighboring businesses. With woods pushing up to the house and no clear boundary between the restaurant and nursery next door, the space lacked privacy, identity, and comfort. The challenge was to create a warm, livable atmosphere without erasing the site’s natural charm.

What We Did

Evergreen Privacy Buffer
We installed a layered evergreen screen to block direct views from the restaurant and nursery, creating an immediate sense of seclusion.

Residential Transitions
The new architectural addition was softened through thoughtful grading, native planting, and hardscape transitions that made it feel established and permanent.

Sense of Arrival & Ownership
We reoriented pathways and viewsheds to guide the eye inward—anchoring the home visually and spatially on its lot for the first time.