Dutchmoor Valley Guesthouse

On a 30-acre farmstead, the owner envisioned a self-contained guesthouse that immerses visitors in the gentle rhythms of rural life. The design responds by reinterpreting the traditional farm shed typology in form, structure, and material. Three gabled volumes root the house in its rural context, supported by steel moment frames that enable open, flexible interiors and large gable-end windows framing views of the lush greenery. A warm, natural interior palette complements these outward views, while the charred-wood shou sugi ban exterior allows the house to recede quietly and harmonize with the site. The project’s distinctiveness lies in its spatial organization and formal approach. The farm shed is reimagined through a contemporary lens, preserving the iconic simplicity of the gable while introducing functions centered on lodging, wellness, and hospitality. These functions are housed in three shed volumes, linked by glazed passageways that function both as circulation and as thresholds between indoors and outdoors. Within each shell, private functions such as bedrooms and bathrooms are contained in smaller forms nested within the open structural volume. Environmental strategies centered on passive design and material efficiency align the new house with the farmstead’s sustainability goals. The volumes are oriented to optimize daylight—reducing glare and overheating while maximizing winter solar gain. A large north-facing window brings in diffuse light without unwanted summer heat. Interiors are clad in wood, a renewable, carbon-sequestering material, while the siding provides durability, fire and pest resistance, and low maintenance. Designed for disassembly and reuse, the siding also enhances long-term adaptability. At its heart, the architecture is guided by an ethos of hospitality—welcoming others into the meditative pace of farm life as a meaningful escape from the pace of urban and suburban life. Though privately owned, the guesthouse fosters community by offering dedicated space for visiting family, friends, and collaborators. Guests arrive via existing gravel paths, park in shared farm facilities, and continue on foot along walking trails that connect the guesthouse to other farm structures. By extending the therapeutic qualities of the rural landscape to a broader community, the project encourages cultural exchange between urban visitors and rural life. Project State IN Name of Owner John Haas and Mary Frances Budig Name of Contractor Integrus Construction Name of Photographer Angie McMonigal Our firm has a signed photographer release for all photos in this entry.  Our firm has never received an ALA award for this project.  Project Completion Date Oct. 2023 Total Square Footage of Project2700 Total Project Cost/Budget 2.8 million dollars 2 of 5