tuhy new

Tuhy Residence – Sylva, North Carolina

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A Modern Mountain Home Rooted in Nature

The Tuhy Residence is designed as a quiet retreat in the forested landscape of Western North Carolina—a home that breathes with its surroundings and offers year-round comfort through thoughtful material choices and passive design strategies.

The owners wanted a home that:

> Nestled into the slope and wooded landscape of Western North Carolina,
> Renewable cork exterior cladding, a natural product harvested from the bark of cork oak trees,
> Maximized natural light and cross ventilation,
> Offered the comfort and functionality of a year-round residence while maintaining a minimal environmental footprint,
> Kitchen countertops made out of Soapstone which is a natural, quarried stone with a straightforward extraction process and minimal chemical treatment. Its long lifespan and low maintenance make it a sustainable countertop choice.
> And reflected the warm simplicity of Appalachian craftsmanship paired with modern detailing.

2. Site + Environmental Context

Set within the Cope Creek valley of Sylva, the site captures long southern exposures and a gently sloped grade ideal for slab-on-grade construction. The orientation was carefully calibrated to:

Frame ridge-line views toward the south and east,
Reduce cut and fill to preserve the natural drainage and tree canopy,
Align primary living spaces with solar gain during winter months, and
Provide deep roof overhangs for summer shading and rain protection.

This attention to terrain and climate response is a hallmark of Scarlet Builds’ approach to mountain architecture—designing with the land, not against it.

3. Architectural Design

The plan emphasizes compact efficiency without compromise:

Open-plan living, kitchen, and dining (425 SF) oriented toward panoramic windows (Type W3 Sierra Pacific multi-slides).

Primary suite with direct bath access and custom built-ins.
Guest wing featuring an additional bedroom, bath, and laundry for long-term livability.
Central entry hall connecting all spaces with clear sightlines and daylight from both ends.

Design Highlights:

9′ ceilings and vaulted rooflines provide generous volume.
Energy-efficient envelope: R-19 floor, R-21 walls, R-38 roof per NC Residential Code 2022
Low-maintenance concrete slab foundation with underslab vapor barrier and frost-protected insulation.
High-performance glazing (U-value ≤ 0.30; SHGC ≥ 0.30) ensures year-round comfort

4. Construction Approach

Collaborating with Good Shepherd Builder, the team adopted a design-build coordination model. This early integration of architect and builder enabled:

Simplified communication with local trades,
Field-verified dimensions for mechanical and plumbing layouts
Rapid permitting with the Jackson County Building Department, and
Cost transparency aligned with the clients’ target budget.

Concrete details such as anchor bolt spacing, pressure-treated sill plates, and 10-mil vapor barriers were specified directly in the drawings, ensuring the project met structural integrity and code compliance without costly field revisions

5. Materials

A defining feature of the residence is its cork exterior cladding, a natural product harvested from the bark of cork oak trees, commonly grown in Brazil and the Mediterranean region. This renewable material offers remarkable acoustic performance, built-in thermal insulation, resistance to moisture and insects, and a warm, organic texture that blends seamlessly with the wooded site. Cork’s carbon-negative life cycle further reinforces the home's environmentally conscious design approach.

Inside, the home is anchored by an insulated slab-on-grade floor finished with Spanish tile, providing durability, easy maintenance, and comfortable thermal mass. The tile absorbs warmth during the day and releases it gradually, helping regulate indoor temperatures—a quiet contributor to the home’s energy efficiency.
Light, Views, and Passive Comfort

Expansive Marvin windows frame the forest from nearly every room. Carefully sized and oriented along the south and north façades, the windows balance natural light with temperature control.

Southern glazing welcomes winter sun, reducing heating demand.
Northern openings invite soft, even daylight without excess heat gain
Combined operable windows support natural cross-ventilation, enhancing air circulation and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.

The result is a home that dissolves the boundary between indoors and outdoors—allowing the family to live with the rhythm of the forest, the changing seasons, and the light that moves across the mountains.

A Home Designed for Real Living

Every design choice was made to support comfort, longevity, and a strong sense of place. Natural materials, a restrained modern envelope, and thoughtful environmental integration come together to create a residence that is both efficient and deeply connected to its site.

The Tuhy Residence stands as a testament to tailored design—warm, sustainable, and crafted for the way a family truly lives.

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