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Design Studio Concept
Lot 3
The front porch is both traditional and functional. The foyer opens to a central corridor that takes one past the home’s traditional functions (bedrooms, bathrooms, closets, etc.) and opens dramatically into the great room—the living and dining space share a vaulted ceiling and expanses of windows that frame the best views of the home’s natural setting.
Nestled alongside the great room and sharing its views is the kitchen with walk-in pantry, and a three-season porch with built-in grill, allowing for nearly year-round grilling for those cooks undeterred by changes of season.
If additional living space is desired, a third level can be easily expanded to include bed, bath or study.
The orientation of the home takes advantage of summer’s southwest breezes and winter’s warmest sun, offers views of woodlands and meadow, early morning mist rising from the water and reflective sunsets.
Each home site was selected to maximize privacy from neighboring Shire Wood homes. Extended overhangs on the west façade provide sunscreen during the summer months but allow for solar warmth on crisp winter days.
Sustainability
The design focus for Shire Wood is sustainability of the natural environment so current and future generations of humans and wildlife could cohabit peacefully.
When considering form and function of each home site, privacy from neighboring homes (keeping one home out of the view corridor of the next) and respect for the existing natural environment were tantamount.
Care was taken to employ land preservation practices to ensure the built environment is complementary and respectful to the natural habitats that weave and wander throughout the property. Landscape and storm water management practices were implemented to eliminate runoff into the watershed and provide plant variety and color throughout the seasons.
Careful measures were taken to identify and tread lightly on healthy tree canopies and wetlands, to preserve native grasses and wildflowers, to identify and remove invasive species and damaged woodlands, enhancing the natural beauty while preserving a buffer zone for wildlife to thrive.
Oak, cherry and walnut timber was recycled from the property, and is available for furniture and building material for Shire Wood homes. In discrete places, dead trees and brush piles were preserved to provide habitat for wildlife. Whenever possible, all road, landscaping, building materials and labor are sourced locally.
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