Program Summary:

Sited at the edge of a bluff overlooking an historic barn and Old Mill Creek, this assembly of 3 rural dwellings completes the inspiration for this Nashville songwriter and his family. 

Program Statement:

After searching for years for the perfect piece of rural Tennessee land the owner purchased this property with an existing small yet incomplete house. Extended exposure to the elements left little of the existing structure salvageable. The basement and first floor framing became the foundation upon which the concept developed.

The footprint of the original house became the living space, flanked on each side by similar master and guest bedroom dwellings, each sized appropriately. The dwellings are modeled after the simple gable and dormered rural vernacular present throughout this area of Tennessee. Each stands on its own while interconnected via glass enclosed bridges. Living, Dining, and Bedrooms wrapped in glass are placed along the northern creekside and are complimented by the required support spaces on the southern meadow side. The central dwelling is accentuated on its southern side with a continuous front porch and dormer windows into the upper level sleeping loft. The entry drive was relocated to provide a winding woodland approach.

Soaring stone chimneys bracket the living space that is overlooked from the kitchen and the loft above. An open riser staircase interconnects the Living, Loft and lower level Media Room. Triple garage doors below clerestory windows provide uninterrupted connection to the creekside deck. The deck wraps the main house for access from each bridge where the outdoor fireplace and grill are located. Symmetrical staircases connect the deck to the bluff below. Cable railing systems are utilized throughout to minimize obstruction of views. 

The tongue and groove and vertical board and batten siding rest on a foundation of Tennessee grey stone and is stained dark grey to emulate the weathered barn found on the site.  Each dwelling is sheltered with standing seam galvanized metal.  Operable windows and doors are strategically placed to draw the northwesterly winds in and through the upper southern windows.  

Internally the house is simply designed to frame the dramatic connection to the woodland and allow areas for gathering or private retreat within a relatively small footprint. Hand hewn pine floors recycled from a US Tobacco warehouse unite the three forms as does the grey stained fir casework and trim. Honed absolute black granite tops cap each work surface while slate mosaic tiles line each bathroom wet area.

Every aspect of the design is intended to enhance the existing rural setting and to further the inspiration for this songwriter and his family.