Prairie Garden

Designed for a young couple with a passion for the natural environment, the home breaks the mold of what suburban living can be. Inspired by the past lives of the site - from vast prairie to cultivated earth and, ultimately, to suburban sprawl - each era is drawn upon for its intrinsic narrative, identifiable forms, and unique textures, creating a synthesis of historical acknowledgment and timeless beauty. Coupled with a dynamic interplay of privacy and outdoor connection, a cohesive ensemble emerges from the landscape, as if extruded directly from it - pulling up pieces of the past in a rigorous yet soft form.

Set atop a mounded hill with its towering master suite, the house is reminiscent of rural structures of the past. The form derives itself from a garden, becoming an organic extension of the landscape, structured around three garden beds in reverence to the tripartite organization of the vernacular ranch. These volumes define distinct yet connected living zones, catering to both intimacy and openness. Circulation serves not only as a buffer between these zones but also as an experiential journey, guiding occupants through moments of connection with the surrounding landscape. The interior is flooded with sunlight filtering through the slatted windows, reminiscent of an old barn wall aperture, shimmering across the floor in a dynamic display of brilliance.

The vertical articulation of the façade evokes the texture of prairie grasses. A soft material palette reinforces this connection, grounding the structure in its site while maintaining a tactile richness that shifts with the changing seasons. This effect creates an intricate play of light and shadow, interacting with the environment and responding to its every move. Inside, a mix of large framed views and filtered light through screens fosters a diverse connection to the outdoors, keeping occupants both aware and at ease.

With its modest size and simple form, the home was built on the footprint of a pre-existing structure - originally a barn, later converted into a house. By maintaining the approximate size and orientation of the previous building, the new home was constructed with minimal disruption to the landscape - preserving trees and soils while minimizing the need for additional fill materials. Furthermore, replacing the heavily manicured lawn with a diverse prairie and rain gardens ensures little to no runoff exits the site. The building's passive solar design prioritizes minimal glazing on the north façade while maximizing the potential of expansive windows on the south. Utilizing the existing tree canopy along the southern exposure provides summer shade while allowing for solar gain in the winter months. Sustainable building practices - such as air-tight construction, high R-value insulation, a ventilated rainscreen, and the use of gold-level Cradle to Cradle Certified materials - reinforce the project's commitment to environmental responsibility.