Strickland-Ferris Residence

The Strickland-Ferris Residence is a modern house completed in 2005 by Frank Harmon Architect PA on a steep, north-facing escarpment above Crabtree Creek in E Peace, North Carolina. The brief called for a dramatic dwelling that would foster the experience of living among the trees, with minimal ornamentation and visible construction details. The location, an 80-foot rise beneath a mature 150-year-old beech and oak canopy, was treated as an ecologically sensitive site, requiring minimal disturbance to the terrain and vegetation. In response, the design employs nine substantial wood trusses to elevate the structure above ground, avoiding the removal of major trees and maintaining the site’s natural hydrology by allowing air and water to move beneath the house. A large butterfly roof directs northern views to the creek and channels rainwater into a collection system. Access is staged as a progression: approaching from above, crossing a bridge to a balcony foyer, and descending via an exposed steel and wood stair alongside a double-height glass wall. The main living area occupies this open, two-story volume and leads to a terrace positioned for sunlight and privacy at the base of the entry bridge.

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