Rendering from North
Rendering of Southeast
The primary goals for the first Modern Vermont house design were to keep it very simple, for low cost and high energy efficiency and to be as open as possible to the beautiful surroundings with out compromising that efficiency.
Views to the east on the site are stunning, with VT's highest peak Mt Mansfield visible on clear days. Rolling fields lining the valley around the Brown's River make up the foreground. Nearly all spaces are oriented to this view. Southern exposure to the sun isn't great do to large trees on the south side, so the house attempts to soak in as much as possible from the east. Sliding glass doors in the living room are 8' tall to maximize the openness to the primary view and outdoor deck that will cantilever slightly over the edge of the steep bank the house sit atop.
The north side presents a very opaque face,, with only the 8' tall glass entry door visible from the approach. A slightly pitched floating roof overhang emphasizes the entry point and provides shelter for 2 cords of wood (more than enough for a winter's heating needs).
The first floor plan is completely open except for the entry which includes built in cabinets and bench on the left side and a mechanical closet on the right. The mechanical closet is set up to be opened for showing off the high tech systems that will keep the house super efficient. The kitchen/dining area is arranged around a central island with cooktop to make cooking the center of activities. The kitchen cabinets fill in under the stair to maximize efficiency. The dining area is arranged much like a cafe, with a long seating banquette on the east wall and several small tables for flexible arrangements.
The living room has plenty of openness to the outside with double 6'x8' sliding glass doors oriented towards the easterly view and large window facing the back yard that will also allow good cross ventilation in summer. The southern wall will be covered with floor to ceiling cabinets, with hidden TV and integrated fireplace (The primary heat source for the home).
The second floor rooms are all stacked to the east for views. The northern half consists of two bedrooms (or offices) and a guest bath. The southern portion is a master suite with large windows in the bedroom and bathroom. The bathroom features a soaking tub centered on the window for enjoying the views while relaxing in the tub. The western wall is stacked with floor to ceiling closets and integrated laundry. There is a sliding pocket door for the master bedroom entry, allowing the bedroom to remain open during typical use and have privacy when guests are present.
On the outside, the siding will be black, charred cedar, punctuated by white windows with white filler panels joining them in various locations. The roof is EPDM low slope (1/4" per foot) , maintaining simplicity and economy. Black gutters will be located on the west side to collect all rain water into a cistern for gardening use.
The building site is extremely tight. While the whole property is 13 acres, the approved building site is barely 7000 SF. The house is oriented to allow just enough room on the north side for parking 4 cars and turnaround, with potential for a future 2 car garage. The south side has a small clearing for outdoor activity and a path leads from here to the 5 acres of field where gardens and future farming will take place.