Meadow House
Stowe, VT
(in progress)
The Project
This new modern farmhouse is situated at the height of an open meadow clearing with views west towards Mount Mansfield and east towards the Stowe Pinnacle.
The house is situated on a narrow ridge and surrounded by wetlands and mature red pine plantation. The landscape approach balanced creating new outdoor space with the restoration and enhancement of the surrounding sensitive ecosystems.
A new stone terrace defines the entry into the home via the gracious front porch while in the rear of the house several stone terraces help the grade transition down and away from the home.
Stone pathways and stairs connect the terraces to the home as well as a limited expanse of lawn. The home and terraces are surrounded by a planting palette of native trees, shrubs, ferns, and groundcovers.
The Design
THe Landscape
Preservation of the surrounding wetlands and buffers was accomplished by removing invasive species and restoring the bordering landscape with native shrubs and groundcovers to filter stormwater from the driveway and house.
Young trees in the front clearing are intended to restore the forest canopy and provide strategic screening from the road. The clients were interested in creating a walking loop through the property to more easily take advantage of their land.
A proposed trail is sited through the forest between the wetland buffers and enters the lower meadow where it connects to an elevated wooden overlook at the edge of the wetland.
Native plantings and natural stone elements including a custom boulder firepit reconnect the newly built home to the surrounding natural landscape and provide enjoyable outdoor space for the clients and their family.
ARCHITECT: ELD Architecture
BUILDER: Tim Meehan Builders
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR: Mark Moody Landscapes, Martin Werth Excavating