River Sonata Meditation Retreat
A retired physical therapist is creating a 3-acre meditation retreat along the Cape Fear River in North Carolina, which offers temporary housing for those seeking physical and/or mental rehabilitation due to a life-altering experience. The retreat includes 12 housing units, each with a different architectural style. Part 1: study your assigned architectural style. Part 2: create one of the retreat houses using your assigned architectural style.
Commercial/Residential Design
Pencil, Paper, AutoCad, InDesign, Photoshop
I was assigned the Neoclassical architectural style, which is all about symmetry and balance. At first, I thought this would be easy, but as I learned, symmetry can be quite tricky.
Having studied Neoclassical architecture to deepen my understanding of the style, I began designing a meditation retreat in this classic aesthetic.
No footprint provide—designer to determine
Along the Cape Fear River in North Carolina
Universal and sustainable design
The home should work in harmony with the natural environment
Neoclassical Architecture Inspiration
Neoclassical Architecture Inspiration
As my primary source of inspiration, I turned to Italian Renaissance Architect, Andrea Palladio, who awakened interest in classical architecture in the 1500s. Palladio's Villa Rotonda (1550–51) captured my interest and served as my muse for this project.
Photo of the Villa Rotunda by Gunnar Ridderström on Unsplash.
Columned porticos
(often extending the full height of the structure)
Triangular pediments
Dentil moldings
Roof-line balustrades
The façade and overall composition is symmetrical and balanced
May have a domed roof
Sense of grandeur in scale
Homes are often 2 stories
Multi-paned
Palladian
Round/elliptical
Fanlights
The Golden means ("thirds" are pleasing proportions to the eye) was taken from Classical architecture and implemented in Neoclassical. The use of orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian), pediments, entablature, and portico (a "temple" style façade) were also developed from Classical styles and implemented in Neoclassical architecture. Classical architecture is looked upon as being the "rules" for architecture because it has stood the test of time.
To better understand this style of architecture, I designed a 750 SF floor plan and built a model of it by hand.
I developed this Neoclassical design and floor plan from scratch. It encompasses 1,200 heated square feet, which includes the first floor and loft, excluding the sunspace.
The concept of this home draws inspiration from Italian architect Andrea Palladio and the retreat's location along the Cape Fear River. Titled 'River Sonata,' the name combines these influences. 'Sonata,' derived from the Italian word 'sonare' (to sound), reflects the natural symphony created by the area's birds, squirrels, frogs, insects, and rustling leaves. This residence aims to blend seamlessly with this melody, creating a healthy, renewing environment while embracing Neoclassical style.
The loft sits above the kitchen and it's reserved for the caretaker, or guests. Because the space is small, built-ins (with mirrored panels) used to maximize storage and space. A bench provides additional seating and plants block the railing for privacy. The dome is closest to the loft and makes the space feel open and nest-like. A sculptural "nest-looking" piece of metal was used as a chandelier (with crystals added), and completes the look.
This is a rough, 5-minute sketch showing the South façade, which features lots of windows to heat the thermal mass in the sunspace, roofline balustrades, a dome, doric columns, a rooftop garden (deck), trellis, and spiral staircases to gain access to the deck.
Elevation of the South Façade
For sustainability reasons, I oriented the residence to take advantage of passive solar design.
The first floor bedroom has an open floor plan, since there will typically only be one person residing at the house for the duration of the retreat. To create privacy, fabric panels drape across the bed’s canopy rails. This creates a nest-like feel for the bed and allows the resident to sleep peacefully and privately. Furnishings in the bedroom emphasize the home’s coastal, river surroundings.
4 Key Elements of the Neoclassical Style
First Floor Bedroom Location
First Floor Bedroom Floor Plan
First Floor Bedroom Elevation (sketch)
First Floor Bedroom Elevation
First Floor Bedroom Fabrics
First Floor Bedroom Furnishings
Neoclassical Features of the House
Symmetrical, balanced floor plan
Temple-like façade (columns rise the full height of the structure,
with a portico and triangular pediment with entablature)
Repetition of geometric forms
Palladian windows and fanlights
A dome and interior columns add grandeur, bringing the eye up,
creating a sense of space
Orientation and Sustainability Features
Orientation and Sustainability
Passive solar design with a sunspace that acts as a thermal mass
Garage and Deciduous trees buffer the sun
The house is earth-bermed for temperature regulation (North façade)
Local greenery promotes healthy indoor air quality
Bamboo flooring throughout the house
Furnishings have sustainable, eco-friendly properties
Adhesives and paint are zero VOC
Window orientation: maximize windows on South, minimize on North, East, West
Low-flow faucets, tankless water heater
Open floor plan for cross ventilation
Inclusive Design Features
Wainscoting acts as a railing (helps those with motor difficulties)
Dark floors pop against light walls (helps with visual impairment)
Kitchen: low counters, sink/range open underneath, accessible appliances
Bathroom: pocket doors, roll-in shower
The garage and observatory walkways are covered
The earth is bermed around the portico, creating ramps
5' turnarounds throughout the house
Blending harmoniously with Nature
Surrounded by trees and overlooking the river, this home features an observatory for bird watching. Its domed architecture creates a nest-like feel, flooding the interior with light, complemented by a sunspace. The repetition of geometric shapes create rhythm and melody, just like the natural sounds surrounding the property. Excellent cross-ventilation is achieved with doors and windows on all sides, bringing the outside in. The home's colors and furnishings harmonize with the natural environment. Since the house is bermed into the ground, it sits like a jewel, embraced by beautiful landscaping and immersed in nature.
5-minute Elevation Sketch
The chandelier is made from reclaimed metal (discarded pieces from steel toe shoe manufacturing). Crystals and wiring were add to turn this into a sculptural "nest-like" lighting fixture, which goes along with the concept.
Columned porticos
(often extending the full height of the structure)
Triangular pediments
Dentil moldings
Roof-line balustrades
Columned porticos (often extending the full height of the structure)
Triangular pediments
Dentil moldings
Roof-line balustrades
The façade and overall composition is symmetrical and balanced
May have a domed roof
Sense of grandeur in scale
Homes are often 2 stories
Multi-paned
Palladian
Round/elliptical
Fanlights
River Sonata Meditation Retreat
I was assigned the Neoclassical architectural style, which is all about symmetry and balance. At first, I thought this would be easy, but as I learned, symmetry can be quite tricky.
4 Key Elements of the Neoclassical Style
Columned porticos (often extending the full height of the structure)
Triangular pediments
Dentil moldings
Roof-line balustrades
The façade and overall composition is symmetrical and balanced
May have a domed roof
Sense of grandeur in scale
Homes are often 2 stories
Multi-paned
Palladian
Round/elliptical
Fanlights
Commercial/Residential Design
Pencil, Paper, AutoCad, InDesign, Photoshop
Having studied Neoclassical architecture to deepen my understanding of the style, I began designing a meditation retreat in this classic aesthetic.
No footprint provide, designer to determine
Along the Cape Fear River in North Carolina
Universal and sustainable design
The home should work in harmony with the natural environment
Symmetrical, balanced floor plan
Temple-like façade (columns rise the full height of the structure,
with a portico and triangular pediment with entablature)
Repetition of geometric forms
Palladian windows and fanlights
A dome and interior columns add grandeur, bringing the eye up,
creating a sense of space
Passive solar design with a sunspace that acts as a thermal mass
Garage and Deciduous trees buffer the sun
The house is earth-bermed for temperature regulation (North façade)
Local greenery promotes healthy indoor air quality
Bamboo flooring throughout the house
Furnishings have sustainable, eco-friendly properties
Adhesives and paint are zero VOC
Window orientation: maximize windows on South, minimize on North, East, West
Low-flow faucets, tankless water heater
Open floor plan for cross ventilation
Wainscoting acts as a railing (helps those with motor difficulties)
Dark floors pop against light walls (helps with visual impairment)
Kitchen: low counters, sink and range open underneath, accessible appliances
Bathroom: pocket doors, roll-in shower
The garage and observatory walkways are covered
The earth is bermed around the portico, creating ramps
5' turnarounds throughout the house
