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Walnut Woods Residence, Cincinnati

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Walnut Woods Residence, Cincinnati

  • The house is a 24-foot-by-150-foot bar that spans a seasonal creek and preserves natural drainage patterns.

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/tmpF981%2Etmp_tcm10-792667.jpg

    The house is a 24-foot-by-150-foot bar that spans a seasonal creek and preserves natural drainage patterns.

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    Eric Williams

    The house is a 24-foot-by-150-foot bar that spans a seasonal creek and preserves natural drainage patterns.

  • A window wall scoops indirect daylight into the interior.

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    A window wall scoops indirect daylight into the interior.

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    Craig Thompson Photography

    A window wall scoops indirect daylight into the interior.

  • A northeast-facing terrace and double-height glass is incised into the log wall.

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    A northeast-facing terrace and double-height glass is incised into the log wall.

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    Scott Hisey

    A northeast-facing terrace and double-height glass is incised into the log wall.

  • Refined finishes on recessed areas contrast with the Tidewater cypress log exterior.

    http://www.builderonline.com/Images/tmpF984%2Etmp_tcm10-792691.jpg

    Refined finishes on recessed areas contrast with the Tidewater cypress log exterior.

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    Scott Hisey

    Refined finishes on recessed areas contrast with the Tidewater cypress log exterior.

  • A bird-watching perch provides access to the grass roof via an exterior stair.

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    A bird-watching perch provides access to the grass roof via an exterior stair.

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    Scott Hisey

    A bird-watching perch provides access to the grass roof via an exterior stair.

  • A cascading stairway leads to guest rooms and eventually the roof.

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    A cascading stairway leads to guest rooms and eventually the roof.

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    Eric Williams

    A cascading stairway leads to guest rooms and eventually the roof.

  • The entryway.

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    The entryway.

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    Eric Williams

    The entryway.

  • The porte cochere.

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    The porte cochere.

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    Eric Williams

    The porte cochere.

  • Elevation and section.

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    Elevation and section.

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    Courtesy John Senhauser Architects

    Elevation and section.

  • Ground- and first-floor plans.

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    Ground- and first-floor plans.

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    Courtesy John Senhauser Architects

    Ground- and first-floor plans.

  • Second- and third-floor plans.

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    Second- and third-floor plans.

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    Courtesy John Senhauser Architects

    Second- and third-floor plans.

Unlike its rustic predecessors, this log house converses with its wooded site. The slender footprint spans 40 feet across an intermittent creek, and its grass roof subtly subverts the expansive lawns in this traditionalist suburban-style enclave. The narrow massing preserved many of the site’s walnut trees, and those cleared away were milled for hardwood flooring.

“When you have an unusual property, you try to take advantage of the view from every room of the house,” says architect John Senhauser. He set it up for one-floor living, with the public spaces and master suite arrayed along a glass wall and recessed terrace facing the woods. Cascading stairs rise to a study loft and guest rooms, and on up to a glass-enclosed perch, where exterior stairs lead to the roof.

“It’s so well-crafted,” said a judge, noting the column supports, the mortised corners on the Tidewater cypress exterior, and the refined finishes on recesses in the log wall.

Entrant/Architect: John Senhauser Architects, Cincinnati; Builder: Allen Builders & Remodelers, Cincinnati; Structural engineer: CCI Engineering, Cincinnati; Living space: 4,850 square feet; Site: 3.07 acres; Construction cost: Withheld; Photographer: Eric Williams, except where noted.

Product details

Bathroom fittings and fixtures: Dornbracht, www.dornbracht.com, Kohler, www.kohler.com; Cooktop: Wolf, www.wolfappliance.com; Dishwasher: Asko, www.askousa.com; Doors and windows: Marvin, www.marvin.com; Exterior siding: B-K Cypress, www.bkcypress.com; Grass roof: Roofscapes, www.roofmeadow.com; Hardware: Omnia, www.omniahardwaredepot.com; HVAC equipment: Bryant, www.bryant.com; Insulation: Johns Manville, www.jm.com; Kitchen fittings: Grohe, www.grohe.com; Kitchen fixtures: Franke, www.frankeksd.com; Lighting fixtures: Halo, www.haloltg.com; Oven: Gaggenau, www.gaggenau.com; Paints/stains/wall finishes: Porter Paints, www.ppgporterpaints.com; Refrigerator: Sub-Zero, www.subzero.com; Roofing: Sika Sarnafil, www.sikasarnafil.com

Craig thompson photography