Eclectic Home in Phases
Environs of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

This owner has chosen an extraordinary rural property and envisioned an eclectic and striking home that will be built in 4 phases. Gnarled Oaks and dramatic outcroppings of weather-carved stone create magical places for walking, sitting and playing in the woods. The small existing house that sits in the flat of a large bowl of rocky land will be enlarged and totally transformed, to accomodate a growing family and to welcome the owners' friends and professional colleagues.

Autumn views looking West (above) before construction, and (below), exploring the site. Considerable sitework has already preceded construction, including the creation of a new pond that is part of an extensive series of stormwater managment features designed by Landscape Architect Shawn Kelly, ASLA.

Phase One is currently underway -- a complete gut-remodeling of the existing house to re-create the interior, make the home much more energy-efficient, and to establish the vocabulary of architectural elements and materials for the subsequent phases. The owner is very keen on sourcing unique re-used items, and the design is evolving to incorporate as many as possible.

Color studies of courtyard, entry loggias and the tea room doors ~ courtesy Pete Read, virtual-builder.com

above: view of Phase Two from the East. A wall of windows and screened porch open onto a generous stone patio and views of woods and outcroppings. below, South view of phases from right to left: Phase Two, the passive solar East Addition; Phase Three, a solar-heated Pool; and Phase Four, the Stone House guest pavilion. These portions of the home will shelter a courtyard to provide comfortable outdoor micro-climates in Wisconsin's variable weather.