Haw River Retreat

NC Vernacular wood cottage with wrap around porch

Expansive screen porch with vaulted ceiling glowing at night

Alternate view of screen porch with light spilling onto the forest floor

Screen porch deck shaded by trellis at daytime

Back of wood cottage with stone base on steep terrain

Alternate side with stone facade and winding pathway shaded by trees with sunlight peaking through

Warm screen porch with wood ceilings and stone fireplace.

Warm interior space with vaulted wood ceilings and stone fireplace

Pittsboro, NC

General Contractor: Robert Harndon

This 2013 AIA Merit Award winning getaway home overlooks the Haw River in North Carolina. The owners decided to build a retreat that will later serve as a guesthouse when they retire and build their permanent home. The design expands and redefines the relationship of interior and exterior spaces. A large, central screened porch forms the core of the house with a fireplace, kitchenette, and sleeping loft. An adjoining interior living area extends the porch form and feeling. The combined interior/exterior living space is encircled by a covered deck, while stone cladding provides quiet refuge for two small back bedrooms. For the family and their visitors, the home blurs conventions of residential life as traditionally interior functions are intertwined with the outside. Ultimately, the design begs the question, what is house, and what is porch?