NEST HOUSE

This retirement home, photgraphed by Aaron Dougherty, is for a couple returning to their native roots in the Ozarks of Arkansas. A love of nature, including the wide variety of birds that come and go through the tall oak trees that dominate the site, were major considerations in the evolution of the design. An exposed steel frame, pre-fabricated in our shop, supports the small house on a south facing rocky slope overlooking Hurricane Valley. The use of native materials, rough sawn oak from local sawyers and wide plank oak flooring imbue the project with indigenous qualities. The house is an open volume with a small loft above the bathroom and mechanical core. The loft is used for various projects and is a sleeping and play area for visiting grandchildren. It seperates the bedroom from the full height living area, glazed on both sides, resting high in the trees like the projects namesake.