When John and Diane Forasté talked about their plans to build a home closer to their grown children, they envisioned a log cabin or a timber framed structure with interior wood paneling. We reviewed a number of images of homes fitting this description noting the various ways to express wood and how to optimize their budget. In the end we settled on a balance of exterior braced elements and custom interior wood finishes.
The site for the ‘Woodhill Residence’ at Bundoran Farm reflects both the beauty and the challenges of building on a densely wooded, sloped site. Selecting the location for the house, high up the narrow lot with spectacular views, was easier than navigating the slope which approaches 20% in places. Fortunately their son is a civil engineer who was familiar with Bundoran’s landscape. With the aid of the Bundoran Farm development team, he was able to create a graceful series of curves and save a number of trees.
To provide adequate parking at the top, limit the number of steps required for entry, and to control solar gain, the long axis of the house runs east to west. This created a walk out basement and a covered area for firewood and gardening. Controlling solar heat gain is a standard theme in our approach to design, but in this case the results are expressed dynamically. The house is firmly anchored on the site and extends boldly into the trees to provide dramatic views of the hills and woods beyond.
Like many of our clients, the Forastés required a ground floor living arrangement. One enters into a small foyer and is presented with ascending stairs to the loft, or the gallery hall where John, a
professional photographer, will hang his photographs. From the hall you enter the great room which is partially timber framed and accented with black architectural hardware. The trusses expose a SIP
(structured insulated panel) roof clad on the interior side with knotty pine. In a stroke of great fortune, the Forastés were able to use wood harvested from trees on Bundoran Farm for their flooring. The custom cherry kitchen cabinets and island were made by Craig DuBose, a local furniture maker known for his music as much as his craftsmanship. As a final personal touch, the clients designed a pattern for the cherry handrails and newel post completing their vision of a home made of wood.
The Woodhill Residence has 1700 square feet of finished, conditioned space with 2 bedrooms, loft, 1.5 baths, a partial basement and exterior porches. The project has already received EarthCraft certification and is awaiting certification in the LEED for Homes program. Congratulations to John and Diane, the general contractor Artisan Construction, and the Bundoran Farm development team!
