Shot Trot Mountain Home

 

The 2,400-square foot Shot Trot House and its 420-square foot Guest Cabin occupies a site graded by developers 20 years ago but subsequently abandoned. The north-slope location faces stunning Smoky Mountain views.

 

The Owners requested an energy efficient, light-filled house, maximizing views and cross ventilation. A pre-design winter solstice visit defined essential requirements for exposure to the winter sun's arc, accomplished through building orientation and roof configuration.

 

The Owner's love of local vernacular buildings is reflected in the synthesis of dogtrot and shotgun concepts. In the south the shotgun house was once and remains a time-tested way to keep cool during the summer and thus became our candidate for contemporary typological adaptation.  With operable windows on both sides it is easy to take advantage of the slightest breeze.  Oriented with the long axis east west and extending the eaves to minimize summer solar heat gain results in a house that will perform well in this climate. Adding operable clerestory windows to the shed roof configuration further enhanced natural ventilation by enabling a stack effect within the spaces

 

Materials are site-sourced stone, local pine and salvaged heart pine. Geothermal heat pumps satisfy HVAC and hot water requirements.