This house in central Virginia combines vernacular simplicity with contemporary openness. The owner, who retains fond memories of vast table-flat spaces from growing up in Iowa, asked for a structure combining contemporary aesthetics with the geometries of simple barn. Tucked at the end of a long field, the house is protected by a slight rise in the land to the west. The field is maintained by the adjacent farm. Native wildflower perennials and small areas of turf surround the domestic spaces. Siting and placement of the structure are very important to the project. The western aspect is nothing but sky and field.

The house is sited to capitalize on this expansive, beautiful, and very simple meeting of sky and grass and to find what mid-western immensity we could in the rolling Virginia topography. Two giant white oak trees command the rear of the house, which pushes up as close to them as is prudent. Retaining walls define a level place for the house, allowing for an intimate connection between outside and inside.

The simple design concept of placing main living spaces and private bedrooms in separate volumes links the two wings with a well-organized kitchen. In doing so, the southern living space becomes a pavilion that enjoys expansive glass openings to the west and south, shaded by generous porches and overhangs, a seamless extension of a small manicured lawn. Maintaining a geometric self-confidence, this front pavilion possesses the simplicity of a barn, while its large, shadowy openings suggest shelter from the elements and refuge within.

The copper roof is designed for permanence and the structure is sheathed in regionally-sourced weather-resistant cypress. In the manner of simple vernacular structures, vertical cypress siding laps slightly over window frames, without casing or trim. Rake and eave boards and window sills are covered in sheet copper. Cypress, copper and stone on the exterior are complimented on the interior by doors, windows and cabinets in white oak.

Energy loads are kept to a minimum through shading and careful site placement, and also through the structure’s technical details. Super-insulated triple-pane glass fills the window openings. The roof is insulated to twice the code minimum. Mechanical systems and lighting are specified for efficiency. The small amount of energy required by the structure is more than covered by a grid-tied solar array.

Team:
Architects: Bushman Dreyfus Architects
General Contractor: Dammann Construction
Energy Consultant: John Semmelhack
Solar: Alterra
Photographers: Stephen Barling,  Will Kerner, Scott Smith