smith residence...

location: Raleigh, NC
est. completion date:2007
project team:
Frank Harmon
Erin Sterling

project statement...

After 15 years in their previous house, the Smith family was ready for a new, more modern home. They wanted a house that would be comfortable for a family of four yet open and spacious enough for entertaining large numbers, both inside and outside. They wanted the living/entertaining spaces to be flooded with natural light while the more private spaces – bedrooms, studies – would remain removed and more secluded.

our design response...

To meet their specific needs, we designed a two-story house within a quadrilateral footprint that would allow the more “public” living and dining spaces, including a large kitchen, to flow easily into each other on the first floor. The lower living and dining spaces are open to the second floor where a hall/gallery leads to the more secluded bedrooms and study above. Vertical steel columns help define the various spaces and set up a rhythm of spatial volumes. A continuous wall of glass on the rear (southeast) elevation opens the house to the outdoors. A full-length deck leads to the swimming pool. Broad roof overhangs shield the interior from the high summer sun yet allow its warmth to penetrate the interior in the winter. The abundance of glass also provides the interior with natural light year-round. /p>