Tucked into a wooded site in the Sovereign Oaks community, Towering Oaks is a 3,600-square-foot modern farmhouse designed as both a peaceful retreat and a welcoming gathering place — a home that embraces the Blue Ridge Mountains as deeply as its owner does.

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Designing with the Land (The Issue)

The 2.8-acre site slopes gently toward a meadow with distant ridgeline views, but its natural beauty brought design challenges. The grade, dense woods, and desire to preserve the land’s character meant a typical siting approach would require heavy clearing, compromise mountain views, and erode the intimacy of the setting.

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A Modern Take on the Farmhouse (Client’s Request)

Our client, who had fallen in love with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a young girl, dreamed of a home that would celebrate that lifelong connection. She envisioned a warm, modern home — welcoming and light-filled — that felt equally comfortable when she was alone or hosting friends. Framing views and strengthening the relationship to nature were essential.

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Life Among the Trees (Our Solution)

We placed the home midway down the slope to minimize cut and fill, preserve existing trees, and keep the structure hidden from the street, allowing it to nestle quietly into the landscape. A north-south orientation captures soft daylight and expansive mountain views while avoiding harsh east-west sun.

Three simple gabled volumes — a modern interpretation of traditional farmhouse forms — organize the home. The central gable holds the main living spaces beneath a cathedral ceiling accented with wood collar ties; the eastern gable contains bedrooms, baths, and an office; and the western gable houses the garage and a screened porch.

Expanses of glass and carefully framed vistas draw nature deep into the interior, creating spaces that are generous but never overwhelming. The result is a serene modern sanctuary — a home rooted in its site and shaped by a lifelong love of the mountains.