The "Vineyard House" at Morven Farm sits on the top of a hill as a singular, isolated object. The house and its parcel, bounded by a wooden fence, overlook the rich landscape of Central Virginia. 
Our design intention was to blend the built elements with the natural conditions of the site through a combination of landscape and architectural moves at varying scales.  As a methodology, we employed strategies of thickening, layering and extension.  The existing residence was thickened internally for  structural stability, the creation of a viable thermal envelope, and the establishment of much needed storage.  The 'front lawn' was transformed from a formal entry point into a kitchen garden able to feed the residents.  The southern facade is layered in order to become a thermally performative aspect of the building and not simply another 'dumb' wall.