BOATHOUSE

A long winding road through wooded hills and valleys leads you to this bermed in family retreat situated on a large tract of land on the Shenandoah River. The house was set up to serve as a pilgrimage from the routine urban and suburban life, giving the clients easy access to outdoor activities and the relaxing rural lifestyle.

In keeping pace with the trend towards more energy-efficient living, the home receives its electricity from solar panels connected to a remote underground precast concrete battery bunker that supplies the building with a steady stream of power. This completely self-sufficient energy system keeps the scenic landscape undisturbed by power lines, making Boathouse a completely off the grid getaway. Many materials used in construction were sourced via sustainable and renewable methods. Wood siding, sheathing and timbers milled on the property were used in construction to blend the design with its surrounding site. Boards used for board formed concrete were then reused for both cladding and interior surfaces.

Large scale sliding and hinged doors allow for easy entrance for kayaks and canoes; it also provides a panoramic view of the scenic water below. Adjustable steel boat pegs allow for more storage space, and conveniently doubled as wood drying racks for boards milled on the property during construction.  An outdoor shower is conveniently placed to wash off after a long day out on the river. Custom steel windows and copper counters are just a few additional features that make this warm and minimal structure special.