As the first phase of a client’s planned move to Lake Anna, Virginia, this guest house and garage becomes the starting point for further development of the site. Its design sets a precedent of economy thru selection of material and simple methods of construction. These methods also allowed the client to construct the building himself and become familiar with each material and the most sensible way to use it providing for minimal future maintenance. These materials, such as concrete block and rusted corrugated metal siding, also ground the building with their timeless sensibilities and embed it to the site. The interior spaces retain this sense of essential materiality. Plywood, off-the-shelf millwork, cement board panels and porcelain tile bring the richness of the exterior inside. The living spaces were designed to be light-filled and generous to allow the client to engage the site. The processes of design and construction became a consistent exchange between the client and the architect to experiment with materials and develop methods that would satisfy both parties’ desires for composition, functionality, and longevity.