Title: Eagleson Retreat
Location of Proejct: Wake Forest NC
Project Completion Date: N/A
Firm Name: Toma Farren Architects

Short Description: Located in an established neighborhood, the design was influenced by the owner’s desire for outdoor living and sustainability. Interior spaces transition easily from inside to out. The east and west wings hold the private functions of the home, helping to create private courtyards, editing out unwanted views while framing views of the natural landscape and golf course.
The building was oriented to take advantage of natural elements of the site, daylighting, wind and topography. Fireplaces are housed in a large stone wall that extends vertically and horizontally to protect the most vulnerable spaces from prevailing winds and harsh sun.

Architect's Statement: The architect was approached to design a house on a double lot in an established golf course community. The owners desired a modern home for their blended family of 6 that embraced outdoor living but maintained privacy from the surrounding neighbors. Because of the large size of the family and their program they wanted to offset the energy consumption for the home and do whatever they could to reduce the ecological footprint. The objective was to create a sustainable, private family retreat with a strong connection to the environment in a dense neighborhood area.
The site was a pine forest that had partially been cleared before the architect was brought on to the project. The goal was to bring back the native pines and plantings that once occupied the site to address privacy and help restore the ecology of the site. The topography gently slopes down to the north, with a long view of the 18th whole fairway. This north view as well as the desire for optimal natural daylighting inspired the true north orientation of the building on the site.
In order to accomplish the goal of maintaining privacy the more private elements of the program were organized into solid stone wings on the east and west sides of the home. The east and west wings reach out into the landscape to edit neighbors out of the view and create private courtyards; a rain garden entry court on the north and a pool terrace on the south. The main living spaces are the most vulnerable spaces in the program with generous openings and are clad in a lighter wood material. These spaces are protected by a central stone hearth element that extends vertically and horizontally to highlight the entry and help shield the main living area from the harsh west sun and winter winds.
The hillside topography inspired the organization of the home into 3 levels. The entry level houses the master, office and main living spaces. The living room is the heart of the home with a double height living space that has a seamless connection to the exterior. North windows bring in soft north light and lookout to expansive views in the landscape. The majority of the everyday living takes place on the main entry level. The upstairs is reserved for kids’ rooms and a study while the basement acts as an entertaining space for guests with spa and workout rooms as well.
The materials pallet was selected for durability and longevity. Native North Carolina stone was used to clad the outer wings. While vertical thermally modified pine siding speaks to the vertical pines native to the site and is used to clad the lighter elements of the program on the upper floors. Zinc siding was selected for its durable low maintenance qualities and is used on the vertical circulation zones and areas that are susceptible to harsh sun on the east and west facades.
From the conceptual siting and layout to the systems that were selected a respect for the environment is inherent to the design of the home. A high efficiency geothermal heating and cooling system takes advantage of the moderate temperatures of the ground reducing energy consumption. Generous roof overhangs protect from the sun and rain while allowing for solar heat gain during the winter months. Roof mounted solar panels transform the harsh west sun into energy, while water is collected from 50% of the roofs and is harvested into a rainwater cistern for irrigation. The rain garden water feature at the entry is designed to collect rainwater from the roofs and transform it into a beautiful reflecting pool one must step over upon entering the home. Turning the sustainable aspects of the home into an artful expression.