Project Description
Located on an historic farmstead in Wabaunsee County, Kansas, the Lockton Residence was designed for a family of five and their guests. The goal was to forge an emotional bond between people and a unique landscape. Structures were purposefully straightforward in their vernacular appearance with a focus on innovative, nuanced detailing and contemporary material selection. The architect began by studying the site – the topography, soil and hydrological conditions, wind and sun patterns. The house was positioned as part of a broader ranch compound, the only contemporary addition since the early 20th century. The house responded to site conditions, running parallel to topography to accommodate single story program and turning perpendicular to topography for multiple story program. The buildings strategically blocked constant wind to allow comfortable outdoor program while windows were positioned to allow passive cooling inside the home. Buildings were positioned to take full advantage of seasonal solar heat gain. The program was allocated in six simple forms. In between the forms of the primary structure were unprogrammed spaces with edges defined by the faces of adjacent structures. Planted roofs over these spaces were compressed to create emphasis on the landscape. Movement throughout the home was carefully choreographed to engage a range of landscape experiences. Skylights were positioned to shift emphasis from horizontal to vertical, bringing the condition of the sky into the home. No other apertures were offered in these instances. Volumes within the forms were internally focused with punched opening analogous to vernacular architecture. In-between spaces were fully glazed to blur the line between inside and outside.