Fern Trail Residence
The house is located on a gently sloping lot bordered by a 5% acre permanent green space. The property is private; the house is not readily visible from the adjacent roads during the summer months. The home is oriented more towards the neighboring woods than it is the street. The house is something of a modern twist on an Appalachian / Arts & Crafts style home using materials indigenous to the area. Wood reclaimed from the property is used in the home for beams, columns, stair treads, the mantle, and some of the furnishings.
The building is home to a family of six. The plan recalls traditional Appalachian cabins in that the more public areas are open and are surrounded by privates spaces such as bedrooms. Traditionally, the hearth was located near the center of a home. Similarly, the kitchen (the modern hearth) is located in the center of the main floor and is open to the informal dining and the living spaces. Spaces are not overly adorned; this is more of a “form follows function” approach to both design and lifestyle.
