Raccoon Crossing

Located in the rural farm country of Virginia, on 27 acres, a retiring nurse wanted a humble retreat where she could have her grandchildren visit from their home in the City and learn the importance of nature. For years, she had studied the significance of Samuel Mokbie and his work with the Rural Studio.

She charged us with the design of a home respectful of Sam’s research and design intelligence. We were provided a very limited construction budget and request that all building materials be locally sourced. The home should be at one with the land and provide shelter. A simple solution guided by the value of material selection, configuration and detail.

The solution is a 1370 SF single story structure nestled beneath a large Hackberry Tree. Our client desired an open floor plan with three bedrooms and two baths for herself and visiting grandchildren, a large screen porch, covered front porch, and a large utility/mechanical room to incorporate future energy and water system controls. The straight forward roof line and building methodology assured that local carpenters and tradespeople could construct. The use of locally sources building materials – the 5V Barn metal roofing, corrugated metal panels, and concrete compositive siding and trim comprise the major cladding components. A stick built frame ensured an efficient structure. The energy efficiency of all equipment, and the envelope provide the owner with an affordable home moving forward – she will be adding solar panels, and cistern & water management systems so that she may move further off grid. Built for $125/SF, we are proud that architecture remains attainable in a day when soaring costs and the challenge of finding qualified labor pool suggests homes with design at their root are nothing but a dream.

A home that is self-reliant.