Contemporary Design in Detail: Sustainable Environments

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Site Specificity

Marlon Blackwell Architect, Keenan

Tower House, Fayetteville, Arkansas

Each level of this family retreat reveals a

diff erent experience of the surrounding

Ozark Mountains: from the wood lattice of

the stairwell, to the glass-enclosed observa-

tion room, to the open skycourt.  e base of

the tower, which corresponds to the 50-foot

(15.2-meter)-high tree canopy, consists of

vertical white oak fi ns that mimic the tex-

tured bark of the oak and hickory trees on

the property. At night, light in the base of the

tower fi lters through the lattice to illuminate

nearby trees.

MO-03B-SMA-FPO

Cutler Anderson Architects,

Reeve Residence, Lopez Island,

Washington, United States

Positioned at the edge of the woods of Lopez

Island on the northern end of Puget Sound,

the house responds to the steep topography

of the coastal zone, which changes from

woodlands to rocky bluff s to fl oodplain

before reaching the ocean.  e green roof,

with its 250 tons (226.8 metric tons) of sod,

follows the downward slope of the land and

refl ects the hues of the coastal plain.  e

monopitch vegetated roof creates a minimal

disruption to the site, and the architecture

choreographs for the inhabitants a meaning-

ful experience of living within the landscape.

22 Sustainable Environments

Site Specificity

23

Above  e two sides of the house refl ect

the diff erent conditions of the inlet seascape

and coniferous forest.  e design expresses

a close relationship to the land through

architectural form and construction and

fi nish materials. Elements such as the tall

wood columns, natural wood shingle siding,

and bluestone terrace help to establish an

emotional response to the site.

Left  e sketch elevation reveals how the

low-pitched roof follows the angle of the

wind shear of the surrounding trees.  is

both shields the house from strong winds off

the sound and blends the building into the

landscape.

24 Sustainable Environments

Above  e rough stone wall and bluestone

plinth anchor the building into the stone

cliff s; although the double-face veneer wall

is rectilinear and even, its connection to the

cliff appears virtually seamless.

Right Nestled into the woods, the house

is reached by two footpaths from the main

roadway and parking area. Visitors are

rewarded with dramatic vistas as the paths

arrive at openings between the wings of the

building.  e tripartite plan allows for both

views and access between the sides of the

house, while creating an arrangement of

spaces suited to family living.

Opposite Built-up timber columns with steel

connectors attaching to the roof and stone

base are found on both sides of the house to

support the green roof.  e forest façade,

fi nished in natural red cedar, presents a more

subdued character.

Site Specificity

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