Verdant Hollow is a 225-acre sustainable organic farm located on a pastoral setting of fields and forests in southwest Michigan. The farm’s caretakers welcome guests and visitors into their lives in a natural, welcoming, and open way, and they wanted the design of their home to reflect that charac.
In addition to a welcoming, open feel, the family also desired for their home to have spaces for privacy and alone time, including reading nooks, and an upstairs relaxation area. The clients engaged MMA to design a new home on the established property, which involved studying the area to position the home in a way that maximizes energy efficiency, as well views.
The north side of the home faces the forest, while the south side faces the surrounding farm, providing plenty of natural light and great views of the pastures, pond, and outbuildings even while in the home.
With a view of most spaces on the first floor, the kitchen is designed to be the heart of the home - a place for eating, gathering, working, and playing. The kitchen reflects efficiency, including stainless steel countertops and a large pantry that is accessible through a sliding pass-through countertop door.
The primary bedroom and bathroom are serene and minimal, focusing focus on the views of the surrounding woods. The upstairs includes a small community room, allowing space for play and homework, as well as lofted bedrooms for the children.
The completed home is an indoor haven that provides respite from their busy lives. The design is simple, practical, informal, environmentally responsible, and is a natural addition to the existing farm. Utilizing timber harvested from the property, the home is a wooded retreat that naturally fits into the forested setting. It provides comfort and utility in pursuit of their interests and hobbies, while also easing their ability to perform farm duties.
Photographer
Scott Norsworthy
Builder
McGuire’s Professional Construction, Inc.
Landscape:
Hoerr-Schaudt
