South Anna River House

Building form and function are extensions of land form and hydrologic function – - the architecture intensifies the ecological character of the site in responding directly to the slope toward the River while capturing, harvesting, filtering and delivering water to the natural drainages that define the site. The shape of the site dictates that the house is elongated in the north-south orientation, which poses a challenge to our standard passive heating and cooling goals. To resolve this issue, several areas of roof open up via operable “dormers” to allow deep penetration of direct sun in the winter while inducing natural convective air movement through the volumes.

Biodata

Location: Hanover County, Virginia
Latitude: 37.77 N
Longitude: 77.32 W
Elevation: ~ 220 ft
Climate: Mixed-Humid
Sun Hours/Day: 4.5
Conditioned Area: 2650 gsf
Year Complete: expected summer 2009