This residence is located on 21 acres near Schuyler, Virginia. The primary design parameters called for an accessible, modern vernacular home / office incorporating sustainable design strategies. Utilizing the abandoned logging road for the driveway, the 2,350 sqft slab on grade house rests on the back of a low ridge surrounded by hardwoods and mountain laurel.

The form and materials draw upon the agricultural context of the area. The high shed roof facing south east captures daylight and direct solar gain. The lower side creates an intimate setting anchored by a raised hearth and chimney made of stone which was salvaged from a disassembled 1740's tavern. A stepped floor plan creates exterior spaces adjacent to the center of the house while sliding doors on opposite sides of the main volume promote cross ventilation. An exterior trellis connecting the entry, ramp, and shed is planned.

The house is accessed by a ramp integrated into an exterior terrace. The floor plan was laid out based on a direct path of circulation; the hallways are 4' wide with pocket doors wherever possible. There is a 5' turning radius in the kitchen corner. Countertops at the kitchen island, the entry display cabinet, and the master bathroom are all at 2'-10".

• Re-use of logging road, gravel for porous surface
• Orientation south / south east for passive solar gain
• Tree debris mulched and used on-siteLocally sawn wood siding / rain-screen assembly
• Fireplace is a modified Rumford design using salvaged stone
• White oak trees removed from the footprint of the house were milled and used as exterior posts at the Porch on the north side
• Character grade maple for custom cabinets came from trees harvested in the development, built by local cabinet maker
• Bio-Based soy foam insulation
• Loewen Windows and Doors (Metal clad, low E, argon filled, U values exceed Energy Star)
• Recycled cotton batt insulation used for sound attenuation at interior walls
• Borate treated Enviro-Safe Plus sill plates
• Metal roofing (for durability and recycling)
• Low VOC paint (dark tints were used in some rooms)
• Low VOC clear finishes on cabinets and concrete floor
• Energy Star appliances and heat pump
• Integral color concrete floor for thermal mass and radiant heat
• Linear duct layout, all ducts enclosed in conditioned space