Three Trees House

Modern house exterior with brick stucco wood accents black windows
Cascading concrete stairs leading to modern wood front door
Cat sitting on Modern open riser steel stair with white oak treads
Open riser steel stairs, white oak treads, cable railing, modern living room
Entry foyer modern wood front door and sidelight
White steel stairs white oak flooring and white oak wrapped columns
Bifold door leading to pool deck. White oak flooring modern interior
Open kitchen, living and dining. Quartz waterfall edge island
Modern kitchen with wood cabinets and quartz island with waterfall edge
Modern wood kitchen cabinets waterfall edge island
Open kitchen and dining. Wood dining table wood kitchen cabinets
Bifold black aluminum clad wood door open to screen porch
Person walking up modern stairs. White oak wrapped columns
White steel stair wood handrail. Wood pocket door
Double height window at modern open riser stair
Modern stairs with white oak handrail and white oak stair treads
Modern screen porch Nichiha VintageWood modern garage door
Drone view of black metal roof with solar panels
Modern house exterior with brick stucco wood accents black windows

Three Trees House

Square Footage 3245 (heated)

Location Greenville, SC

Three Trees House marries contemporary material use and detailing with familiar forms in the Augusta Street area of Greenville, SC. 

One of the strongest drivers of the design was our clients’ wish to preserve two heritage Eastern Black Walnut trees, estimated to be over 100 years old, located in the rear and right side of the site and a Sycamore on the left side of the house. The location of the trees necessitated a horizontal form elongated on the site rather than home built deeper into the site. This form allowed us to save the trees while also taking advantage of the site’s solar orientation by positioning the longest facade roughly southwest / southeast so that the majority of the home’s living spaces receive natural light throughout the day. 

Our clients’ interest in sustainability and renewable energy led to the use of solar panels, on-site energy storage, above-code insulation (including continuous exterior insulation on the walls) and all-electric appliances and mechanical systems.

Strategic window openings provide framed views of sculptural walnut limbs much like large-scale living artwork. The home that was carefully planned to avoid disturbing three trees now forms a symbiotic relationship between home and trees that the residents will enjoy for years to come.

Photography by Emily Heezen