Forest House

Forest House: An Immersive Sanctuary at the Edge of Atlanta’s Last Virgin Forest

Completed in 2022, Forest House is a remarkable architectural achievement nestled between two creeks on the edge of the Frazer Forest—a 39-acre fragment of original, virgin woodland within the city limits of Atlanta. As one of only 14 remaining pre-colonial forests in Georgia, the site presents a rare opportunity to engage with an untouched natural landscape. Designed to harmonize with this majestic ecosystem, Forest House is a testament to the delicate balance between modern living and environmental stewardship, offering an immersive experience in nature's complexity and diversity.

A Design Rooted in Resiliency

The design philosophy behind Forest House centers on echoing the regenerative qualities of the forest floor while minimizing the impact on the surrounding landscape. The project’s goal was to create a home that treads lightly on the earth, offering a platform from which to engage with the natural world. For both the design team and the homeowner, it was essential that the landscape design reflect the resilience and dynamism of the forest, fostering a genuine connection to the environment in an increasingly overdeveloped world.

A Journey Through the Forest

The experience of Forest House begins at street level, where the homeowner leaves their vehicle behind and descends into the forest on foot. This transition from urban life to the tranquil embrace of nature is intentionally crafted to heighten the sense of immersion. The entry sequence is a tactile and visual journey, designed to counterbalance the soaring verticality of the A-frame structure with the intricate patterning of the Ashe wood facade.

Eight-inch bands of precast concrete pavers from Techo-Bloc are laid in a randomized linear pattern, offset by Mazus-planted joints that respect the forest’s natural permeability. This design approach creates a dynamic ground plane while preserving the forest floor's role as a natural sponge. The outdoor living room is defined by larger, square, and rectangular pavers, providing contrast and creating a hierarchy within the overall landscape experience.

A Clearing in the Forest

The entry sequence is framed by a shade-tolerant, native meadow of grasses and sedges, carefully sourced from a local nursery specializing in indigenous species. The meadow blends into a naturalized understory of Autumn Fern, Saxifrage, and Solomon's Seal, designed to evolve with the seasons, reflecting the dynamic nature of the forest. This adaptive landscape requires no irrigation systems, allowing it to thrive and sustain itself naturally, reinforcing the site’s resilience.

Elevated Connection to Nature

At the rear of the home, an at-grade dining deck offers a serene setting for outdoor meals, perched lightly atop the forest floor beneath a dense canopy. The original owners planted a grove of bamboo at the forest's edge, likely to ensure evergreen views from the upper floors. While bamboo is notoriously invasive, the design team embraced its atmospheric qualities, integrating it into the landscape rather than removing it. The grove now serves as the starting point for an elevated boardwalk that winds deeper into the forest, leading to an oversized fire feature crafted from boulders perfectly sited at the center of a clearing.

The ground beneath the boardwalk is intentionally left “bare,” embracing the natural cycle of fallen leaves and the regeneration they foster. This approach honors the forest’s intrinsic processes, allowing the landscape to remain in a state of continuous renewal.

A Celebration of Nature’s Spectacle

Forest House is more than a residence—it is a celebration of the natural world, offering a rare and authentic response to the pressures of urbanization. By embracing the site’s unique ecological context, the design creates a space where nature and architecture coexist in harmony, allowing the homeowner to fully engage with the forest’s beauty and complexity.

With its commitment to minimal environmental impact, adaptive landscaping, and a deep connection to the surrounding ecosystem, Forest House stands as a beacon of sustainable design, providing a peaceful retreat within one of Atlanta’s last remaining virgin forests.