Jocelyn Hollow

Residential

This project strengthens the connection between an existing home and its surrounding natural landscape. A pool and pool house were tightly fit within setbacks and a stream buffer in order to enhance the family’s outdoor life. A natural material palette of wood and concrete is complemented by unexpected pops of color, mimicking the wildflowers of the site.

Project Statement

This project enhances the connection between an existing family home and the natural environment immediately outside its back door.

The subject property lies within a residential neighborhood just south of Nashville. Developed over time, it features many homes built as early as the 1940s, alongside plenty of newer spec homes that typically mimic the brick cladding of their 20th-century neighbors. Our clients purchased a new home that blended in with the other homes nearby, and then brought us on to address the active stream and steep forested incline along the rear of the property. They sought a pool and a modern pool house that would not only set their home apart, but also enhance their outdoor life and better connect them to the natural beauty of their surrounding landscape.

Like many properties in Middle Tennessee, the presence of a stream triggered a minimum fifty foot buffer for any new construction. Between this, setbacks, and the position of the existing home, only ten percent of the property remained as buildable area. In an effort to preserve views of the rear yard from the existing house, we positioned the pool house along the left property line, tucked in as close to the side setback and as far forward as possible. This location off of the existing motor court also allows the structure to be visible from the street, serving as a distinct new addition to the block and a welcoming point to the rear yard for guests.

In addition to its position on the site, views of the natural landscape helped us determine the building’s internal arrangement. The two most significant spaces, a downstairs living room and an upstairs bedroom, occupy a fully-glazed corner that affords panoramic views of the forest, the garden, the pool, and the sky. The green foliage paired with the yellows, reds, pinks, and purples of native wildflowers creates a natural color palette that pervades the interior spaces and informs the interior design.

Inside, a perforated steel staircase connects all three levels, carrying color and natural light throughout the structure. Natural white oak window seats at each stair landing provide spots to relax and enjoy the view. A colorful palette of furniture and fixtures represents the property’s variety of springtime colors throughout the year. In contrast, the exterior is clad predominantly in charred western red cedar, which fades into the shadows as dusk sets in.

Framework for Design Excellence Narrative


1. Design for Integration
2. Design for Resources
3. Design for Ecosystem


The overarching goal of the project is to connect users to the natural environment of the place. Views of the surrounding forest are prevalent and interior materials reflect the natural color palette of regional wildflowers. Within a very limited footprint of 700 square feet, the project offers as much beauty and enjoyment of the outdoor landscape as possible. Across three levels, a gym, sauna, living room, kitchenette, bedroom, meditation room, and window seats provide the occupants many ways to engage with the site. While respecting the required stream buffer, the building brings the homeowners closer to the hydrology of their property. The sound of water is audible from the outdoor kitchen and dining area, or from within the living room with the panoramic multi-slide door ajar. The structure’s western red cedar cladding, charred by local woodworkers, creates tactile interest and produces a naturally durable finish without the use of chemical sealants.


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LEED/Green Certifications

Price/sq. ft. if provided

$600

Photo Captions

**1A** View from the motor court, showing the pool house’s position behind the existing house

**1B** View of the pool with the garden and forested hillside beyond


**2A** Site Plan demonstrating the relationship between the existing house, the stream and the forest

**2B** Entry path between the existing house and the new pool house, lined with vertical fence pickets


**3A** Cabana Detail

**3B** Spa Detail

**3C** Cabana with operable shades, pool with water feature, and the surrounding garden


**4A** View of the pool house from the garden

**4B** Upper Floor Plan

**4C** Main Floor Plan

**4D** Lower Floor Plan


**5A** Blade Awning - Section Detail

**5B** Blade Awning

**5C** Entry path between the existing house and the new pool house


**6** Foyer Details: White oak window seat, concrete floor, and perforated steel stair treads


**7A** View of the steel staircase, art niche, and decorative pendants 

**7B** Steel Staircase - Section Detail


**8A** Steel Staircase - Section

**8B** View from from the steel staircase landing


**9A** Glass Guardrail Detail

**9B** View from the top of the steel staircase


**10** Window seat at the upper level


**11** View of the stream and forest from the living room


**12** White oak casework in the living room


**13A** Bathroom on the main level

**13B** Bathroom on the upper level


**14** Views from the upper level bedroom


**15A** Mediation Room

**15B** Wood Window Wall Detail

**15C** Bedside Detail