Business in the front and party in the back this house would seem at first, with the traditional nested gables of the street facade unfolding into a dramatically composed butterfly roof in the rear. The reality is quite the opposite, with an open plan conducive to entertaining for kitchen, living and dining located under the sculptural vault of the front gable; the architect’s home studio is located at the back of the house. Tucked under the roofline are two upstairs bedrooms, an office, and master suite; while the house seems compact from the front, it provides the space for modern living.
The geometry of the neighborhood’s vernacular cottages is explored and abstracted in the front façade with the overlay of strong modern lines. The side elevation reveals a narrow shotgun-like approach to the home, a different reinterpretation of Southern cottages, which also provides for natural passive cross-ventilation. The exploration is carried further through the creative incorporation of native and traditional materials such as Tennessee fieldstone, and white clapboard. Reclaimed heart pine, clever detailing and craftsmanship, and salvaged wood from an old shed on the site further connect the building to local site and culture.
This LEED Platinum certified home incorporates a strong commitment to sustainability as emphasized in the use of traditional passive climate strategies is supplemented with new technologies such as spray foam insulation, solar hot water heating, and a rainwater catchment system.
