Farmhouse on the Marsh

AIA Atlanta

Photography Emily Followill

Set in a wooded area that opens to marshland and a bay, this 5,600-square-foot, two-story residence was designed to strongly connect with its setting and to appear as though it has been part of the property for many years, with several generations of architecture added. The main house is built off an open wall of masonry that looks much older, and a modern, glass-and-steel wing extends from the home’s southern (?) end. The design combines the familiar farmhouse style with a more modern presence in the rear, where entire sides of the house appear to have been replaced with glass.

A reverence for the environment—particularly the many majestic live oaks on the property—was a priority for the owner. Almost every tree was preserved, and exterior views are framed by the towering trees. In the rear, the patio surrounds the trunk of one live oak, and screened and open porches blend indoors and outdoors. A rusticated tabby stucco was applied to the home’s seemingly older portions, including the chimneys, and horizontal, five-inch clapboard siding gives the exterior a modern, linear effect.

The interior palette is streamlined, achieving a clean and comfortable mien. Organic materials balance glass and steel. Overall, the home has a quiet presence, allowing the natural elements of the lush setting to take center stage.