Near the Virginia State Arboretum this structure features 2900 square feet fitting between 3 other 3 acre lots and a farm to the northwest. The available slot between an existing rock ledge and the black board fence line forced the development of a linear plan with a shifted wall to take advantage of solar gains while turning away from northwest storms and Rte 50. A difficult process with neighborhood covenants lead to the approval of what was called a neo agrarian vernacular structure by the local architectural historian. This concept represents possibilities in an evolving sense of place blending the best of local traditional materials with new technologies forming a low maintenance house free of sentimentality. An inspirational thought of sports cars, airstreams or even aircraft hidden away in a barn drove the high contrast of metal cabinets, concrete and dark wood boxes on the inside of the house.


DESIGN
As a reaction to living in a 1300 square foot house for ten years a new design started with an expanded modern kitchen acting as the hub of activities.

An open plan for the living space featuring concrete floors uses loops of circulation for flexibility and fun.

An away room sits nearby for a supervised children’s den or visiting area when kids grow older. A large 8 x 8 sliding panel can close off any mess when unexpected visitors stop by.

The master suite is on the main level for flexibility and accessibility. The kids rooms and loft stack up above the kitchen and dining area featuring a custom desk /gallery.

The painting studio forms an inglenook below while a retractable ships ladder fills the stair slot leading to the back terrace.

A sunken covered terrace allows for exterior seating without blocking the views from the living room

Tactics on efficient budgeting lead to the concept of creating boxes in a larger box; each shift in scale is marked by a shift in preciousness completed at the cabinet level.

A pivoting plasma TV and woodstove frame the localized views in a living space sized for entertaining and balanced with cozy subspaces.

TECHNOLOGIES and MATERIALS
The double cmu wall is tilted in plan to gather sun in the colder months. This thermal mass is filled with a special foam insulation allowing for some thermal bridging for solar lag while featuring a durable inside to outside relationship highlighting stucco finishes. The block wall was built level at the top while the angle in plan requires each glulam beam to be one ply taller creating a slight pitch for the roof and roof deck. The beams are divided by custom windows creating a floating roof harkening to one of the client’s favorite buildings Ronchamp. The northwest wall and roof panels form the insulation layer created by SIPS panels. The SIPS are exposed in parts of the house including the living room and the master bedroom roof providing savings to respend on upgrades for finishes and fixtures elsewhere.

Oak plywood creates the boxes and unfolded boxes implied creating a contrast of cozy informal modern with expanses of shifting light. Drywall is used sparingly while balancing the budget.

The linear concrete counter runs from the pantry and kitchen to the dining area forming a buffet and built in entertainment cabinet. Custom removable cutting boards allow for an expansion break.

Ebonized oak floors set up the few drywall walls as places to feature art work by family and friends.

Recycled terrazzo ground concrete slab cutouts are recycled from a dumpster and used as tile in the main bathroom lining the floor, shower wall and forming the tub platform.

The dark stained inverted cedar board and batten blends with the fencing while the northwest wall of standing seam metal provides a maintenance free shell.