Our Stillwater home was designed for a wooded site with a quiet pond to the northeast. The calming northeast view was the predominant design element. A view of the home from across the pond required that the southeast side of the home be equally inviting. These land elements therefore required that the home sit at a 45 degree angle to due south with the entry on the northwest. The nearby farm houses also inspired the design as well as our client's fondness for a post and beam interior. The main post and beam frame is simple yet the house is full of unique surprises. Still, with this eclectic mix of design requirements, we were able to allow the entry of enough winter sun for a sun-tempered home that requires no additional thermal mass to maintain comfort. The exterior is a low-maintenance combination of cement board siding and metal roof shingles for the inviting farm house look.

Our Stillwater home was designed for a wooded site with a quiet pond to the northeast. The calming northeast view was the predominant design element. A view of the home from across the pond required that the southeast side of the home be equally inviting. These land elements therefore required that the home sit at a 45 degree angle to due south with the entry on the northwest. The nearby farm houses also inspired the design as well as our client's fondness for a post and beam interior. The main post and beam frame is simple yet the house is full of unique surprises. Still, with this eclectic mix of design requirements, we were able to allow the entry of enough winter sun for a sun-tempered home that requires no additional thermal mass to maintain comfort. The exterior is a low-maintenance combination of cement board siding and metal roof shingles for the inviting farm house look.

First Floor

The great room and dining area have expansive northeast views. The kitchen does too as well as a view to the southeast. The great room and porches are on the northwest for sunset viewing. The corner south room with windows on two sides can be a sunroom, away room, or a bedroom with large private bath. The large laundry room is ideal for crafts and sewing.

Second Floor

Curved wooden stairs by York lead up to the second floor with its loft-like character that wraps the great room. The sitting area off of the master bedroom has a northeast view as well as the exercise nook on the northwest corner. The upstairs bedrooms are tucked on the more private south side of the home.

Carport and Garage Option

The optional carport/garage is shown to the west of the house. The carport can be used for a quick drop off of groceries, drying clothes, or a birthday party out of the weather. The garage portion can hold two vehicles and a tractor or shop.

Construction Info

The main rectangle of the home is post and beam with 9' ceilings while the surrounding first floor walls are stick framed with vaulted ceilings. The upstairs ceilings start at 8'on the perimeter and peak at around 13'. Diagonal wood beams add contrast. The first floor is wheelchair friendly with 3'doors in most places.

Modification Ideas

Since these ideas may affect energy performance and structural integrity, they should only be undertaken with professional assistance.

- Build the home with SIP panels for the walls and roof
- Construct the home with load bearing stud walls instead of the post and beam frame and install a simple screw down metal roof
- Move the garage to the kitchen side if it will not block views
- Through our custom services, increase solar gain by several strategies including modifying the south orientation and making the long porch side into a south facing sunroom

Read more about the drawings available for various Sun Plans.