A simple perspective drawing of a "wagon shed" that our client brought to us at one of our first design meetings became the genesis for the massing, composition and feel of this residential project located in Northern Vermont. Over a two year time frame, the master plan for site development and construction was started by opening up the wooded site for views, light and ponds. The driveway is a mile in length and weaves through lowland areas, plantation pines and spruces and upland woods to arrive at a place in between the residence and the "wagon shed" (or garage/shed as some may call it). The project also includes an unconnected workshop which served as a live-in cabin for the owners throughout the construction phase of the home.

The organization of the spaces within the residence follow the colonnade of 8x8 timber posts that begin at the front entry and create an axis through to the dining area. Flanking both sides of the colonnade are: the kitchen on the east with a curved steel plate wall facing the dining area, a southeasterly sitting area leading to one of several porches, the step down living room on the southwest corner and a private study in the northwest corner of the main house. The primed steel beams are structural and begin the link of steel and wood as the primary building materials for the project. The steel sculptural stairway leads to a light-filled landing, off of which is a study to the south and the master bedroom suite running axially east-west along the north side of the stairway.

Three guest bedrooms with bathrooms, a mudroom, the main entry and a single car garage are attached by the connector to the main house. The low roof of the connector accentuates the height of the two main wings of the house. Views from each room are framed through the trimmed forest to the two ponds, fields and long views of the Green Mountain Range to the west. The site is secluded, quiet and private. It is also an exquisite place of prospect.

The residence and workshop feature Marvin clad awning, casement and fixed windows, vertical ship lap pine siding rough side out, and a mill finish galvanized standing seam roof. The owners selected concrete counter tops for the kitchen and bathrooms. The wood floors are wide Eastern White Pine and there is an acid etched radiant concrete floor connecting the main entry through the connector to the main wing of the residence. White Pine was also selected for wood walls and ceilings. Most interior doors are Western Fir.

This project allowed us to explore the balancing of intimacy and soaring spaces, architectural texture and composition, inside-outside connections and the language of traditional shed/barn materials and forms.