House for Mr. & Mrs. Smith

156 Val Halla Cove, Memphis, TN 38018 United States

Building Area (sf): 5,265 sf (htd.) 874 sf (un-htd.) 6,139 sf (total)

Completion: Feb. 2023

A retired couple purchased the last available lot in a ’60s-era neighborhood built around a small lake. The couple sought a house that accentuated the site while providing beautiful spaces for daily life and aging in place.

Though living as empty nesters, the couple required an extensive program resulting in a large house on a small, pie-shaped site in a cul-de-sac. Sloping downward to the lake’s edge, the site and topography were suitable for a multi-story house embedded into the hillside while imposing a minimal footprint.

The house consists of two linear bars forming an “L” positioned to preserve a mature cypress tree near the lake's edge. Communal spaces occupy the bar parallel to the lake, allowing sweeping views across the water. Private functions are housed in the bar perpendicular to the water, aligning with the angled property edge, and culminating in exceptional views for the master bedroom. Entry occurs at the intersection of the two bars. A low entrance gallery guides one’s path toward the lake where the floor gives way to double-height space. The kitchen, dining, and living spaces share a large communal volume where walls enclosing service spaces are kept low, representing smaller objects in a larger, expansive space. Though more closed to the street, the communal volume opens to the lake with floor-to-ceiling glazing and a roof that is clearly expressive of its post-and-beam structure. The private bar contains the master suite with second floor accommodations intended to house a future caregiver as the couple ages. A lower level is embedded into the hillside and opens onto an exterior terrace.

Exterior materials are applied in such a manner as to reinforce of the building diagram and consist of a blend of low maintenance metal, fiber-cement, and masonry cladding systems.

1 - As a typical cul-de-sac lot, the site's pie shape limited street access to little more than the width of a driveway requiring special attention to the garage face. Although vacant, the lot featured a stand of mature pine trees along its western edge that were pruned and preserved. A mature cypress tree at the lake's edge served as a major factor in design layout and site positioning.

2- As the entry walk leads one to the front door, a serpentine wall allows grade to follow its natural slope downward to the lake beyond. Thus rainwater continues flowing naturally to the lake.

3 - Driven by site conditions, the primary bars of the house form a bent "L". Both are positioned such that a beautiful cypress tree is nestled into the crux of the crossing bars.

4 - On axis with the entry walk, a large window allows views through the house to the lake beyond. The owner stated that they wanted no flat roofs at the first meeting, so the house has three sloped roofs .... and one flat roof.

5 - Upon entry, the interior palette of natural wood, white walls, and ebony-stained wood slats becomes a clear and deliberate backdrop to the artwork and green landscape visible through the windows.

6 - The couple explained that they had always "settled" for available market houses and longed for one that fit the way they wanted to live. At retirement age, they made a commitment to live their remaining years in a house that brings them joy upon awakening each day as they move about their artwork, fully engaged with their surroundings.

7 - Walls enclosing various programmatic components do not disrupt the flow of space, stopping short of the roof and allowing the full volume of space to be read as continuous.

8 - As the main floor gives way to the downward stair, a double-height sliver of space emerges offering focused views to the lake. As a result of the site's geometry and adherence to such in plan, the inner angle of the two primary bars is rather acute. This angle is directly reflected in the black volume forming one side of the floor opening at the stair.

9 - A generous terrace positioned between the house and seawall allows the couple to enjoy outdoor leisure in the shade of the massive cypress tree.

10 - Exceptional lake views from the elevated main level of the house are maximized through expansive storefront glazing protected by a substantial roof overhang.