At an arts center set on a historic farmstead in Wisconsin's Driftless Area, the caretakers requested a modest house set between the public parking area and the woods. The new home, which sits quietly within the landscape, takes cues from the historic buildings around it. Windows frame the old barn, the forest and fields like art. Wood sourced from the farm adds warmth to the clean, modern interior.

The clean-lined yet comfortable result—with interiors painted white and filled with warm wood floors and architecture details—befits the countryside as much as the collection of art. “A clear linear organization and massing of this home celebrate the agrarian heritage of the site,” one judge said. Another noted that the home’s orientation and play “follow sound passive solar principles, which will help with the energy performance of the home.”

"The jury commented that the detailing respects and enhances the style of the home, creating a landscape that seems as if it has always been there, and that the design geometry is perfect, with pavement joints, walls, custom furniture all aligning on a grid determined by the home's geometry. This project was praised by the jury for its stunning graphics, photos, and design details. They lauded the incredible detail that went into the journey of water through the project and felt the design team had a very commendable approach and implementation."

“With houses you often say, ‘Oh, I’ve seen this before.’ But not with this one. The ideas and the execution in this project are fresh.”

“Too often, designers think, ‘Oh, I need a handrail, and that should be a different material or have a different expression.’ Here, the architect and the owners came up with a limited set of materials and details, and then they deployed them.”

Residential scale landscape architecture stormwater treatment design. The residential backyard is separated from the adjacent wetland by a sustainable stormwater treatment design called the "Greenline." The "Greenline" responsibly manages stormwater runoff to the wetlands while also framing the lawn and outdoor spaces.