The House

The Underground House, circa 1982

A three bedroom 4400 sq.ft. home was built into the hillside under 3 feet of sod.  The goal was to construct a dwelling that would stay cool in the summer, be economical to heat in the winter and eleminate the sound of air traffic coming over from nearby Dulles Airport.

An aerial view from 1985

Before Willorsford was even a thought

A picture from my Cessna plane flying east, looking north toward Dr. Moore's farm.
The front of the house is facing west (left).

Facing west, the house had  sweeping views of Bull Run Mountain.

The house was built into the hillside with heat absorbing copper awnings and Napa Valley cultured stone.

The inside had sloping cielings from 14' in the 
front of the house, to 9' in the back with skylights, and stairways so most all the rooms had plenty of natural light.

The house was removed in 2018 to make room for 
Hovatter Elementary School.

The location of the orginal Hovatter home.

The Underground House, circa 1982

An aerial view from 1985

Facing west, the house had sweeping views of Bull Run Mountain.

The house was built into the hillside with heat absorbing copper awnings and Napa Valley cultured stone.

The inside had sloping cielings from 14' in the front of the house, to 9' in the back with skylights, and stairways so most all the rooms had plenty of natural light.