Harding Huebner Architects created this impressive modern meadow house, nestled on a 49-acre property in Leicester, North Carolina. This project began with a retired couple from Midland, Texas who had a deep appreciation for the vast openness of the Texas landscape. They aspired to recreate that serene feeling by building their new 4,450-square-foot home on a stunning and expansive piece of farmland.

This farmland was nestled in the upper cove of a mountain valley, a place rich with generations of farming history. At its heart lay an original homestead and smokehouse, surrounded by a natural mountain spring that had once provided fresh water and cool storage for early settlers.

DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT Harding Huebner Architects BUILDER Bronco Construction

Sadly, in recent times, the spring and the valley suffered significant damage due to erosion from cattle farming practices, poor land management, and other factors like fence partitioning and silt build-up. The situation was worsened by the dilapidated state of a 1950s house and an old barn, both beyond repair.

The ambitious design solution was twofold. Firstly, the homeowners sought to create a highly energy-efficient and sustainable new home. Secondly, they wanted to pay homage to the farm’s history and restore the scarred land. To achieve this, the whole valley, including the natural spring and downstream creek, underwent a comprehensive restoration to stabilize erosion and promote a healthy ecology.

The original homestead and smokehouse were refurbished and structurally stabilized, repurposed as a family outpost and garden/utility shed, respectively. The 1950s house was demolished, and reusable materials were salvaged for local projects. The old barn was carefully disassembled, and the wood was harvested for future use.

The new house was thoughtfully positioned along the old farm road, about 3/4 of a mile from the valley, on a grassy knoll. This location provided breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and allowed the house to blend harmoniously with the environment. The house was designed as a three-sided courtyard structure, with the fourth side opening up to the forest edge, providing a refuge from strong winds.

To minimize its impact on the landscape, the house featured a strong horizontal proportion, taking inspiration from the traditional barns and humble structures found in the Appalachian region. The architects ensured that the house could often fade into the shadows of the surrounding trees, allowing the landscape to take center stage.

Energy efficiency was a priority in the house’s design, with 14” thick insulated concrete mass walls and a high-performance triple-glazed window and door system. The home also featured a geothermal HVAC system supporting radiant floor heating throughout, and it was pre-wired for a future photovoltaic array. A 14’ long skylight over the kitchen island provided natural lighting and passive ventilation.

While the design was modern, the use of reclaimed barn wood as accents in the powder room and a large office sliding door added a touch of nostalgia and character. All exterior and interior woods were sourced sustainably from the region, and a downed tree from the property was repurposed to create a stunning live-edge custom dining table.

What We Love: This new home is a seamless integration of modern living and environmental preservation, honoring the land’s history while embracing the beauty of the North Carolina landscape. We are loving the design of the exterior facade of this house, with its sleek material palette and how it overlooks an awe-inspiring meadow, instilling a sense of peace in those that inhabit this wonderful dwelling.

Tell Us: What elements in the design of this modern meadow house do you find most appealing? Let us know in the Comments below!

Note: Be sure to check out a couple of other amazing home tours that we have featured here on One Kindesign in the state of North Carolina: A beautiful country farmhouse created for empty nesters in North Carolina and See this striking North Carolina mountain refuge updated for entertaining.

PHOTOGRAPHER Keith Isaacs