Cox Road Residence

Down a long gravel drive, amid meadows of indigenous wildflowers, woodlands, and open fields of active farmland lined by rows of mature pines, white volumes of various size emerge from the site.  Their straightforward forms are set apart from each other as an assemblage of pavilions presenting a sense of permanence and solidity in the landscape.

Inspired by a Latin and Mediterranean rural village vernacular, the rectangular buildings hint at their domestic use with punched windows topped by stone lintels while seamless parapets and subtle curved corners soften the minimalist detailing.

The five pavilions are rotated on the site to precisely align with the cardinal points providing a layered view of the solid forms from the front while maximizing solar exposure at the rear where the pavilions separate into an expanse of glass.

Entering through the glass front between the solid mass of the bedroom pavilions gives way to a sunlight flooded interior capped by a wood beamed ‘pergola’ ceiling stretching between plaster clad walls to full height planes of glass.

The simple white volumes sit comfortably in the landscape and the efficiency of their layout, centered around the open courtyard, streamlines daily life. The courtyard becomes the focal point of the house, seamlessly connected to the living room and kitchen looking over the pool and gardens beyond.

The courtyard functions as a boundary between private and social spaces, and ties together a sequence of indoor and outdoor spaces. The glass front entrance provides a linear visual connection through the house to views beyond and the courtyard remains as a visual reference as all spaces connect to it.

The tower pavilion with its upper roof deck extends above the courtyard blurring outlines of outdoor and indoors.

To reflect the lifestyle of the owner and facilitate the social life and activities of the family members, particularly in relation to the outdoors, the design extends the indoor living spaces to the exterior of the house with a tiled terrace that surrounds a rectangular pool down to lawn and gardens beyond.

Key to the character of the house is the palette of natural materials such as lime-wash, leathered stone and reclaimed wood that have been applied with contemporary techniques.

The design seeks to create a timeless architecture that draws on the tactility, warmth and imperfections of materials to define spaces that connect to and celebrate the ever-changing seasons in the exterior landscape beyond.