A Modern Mountain Home: Residence in Hiawassee, GA

Step 1: Project Kickoff and Site Analysis

June 2024 marked the beginning of our journey with the Couch family. The first step in any custom residential architecture project is understanding the land. Lot 3 on Rivendell Drive presented a beautiful but sloping terrain.

​

During our initial site visit, our primary goal was to identify the ideal location to design a home that adapted to the lot’s natural topography rather than flattening the site. By prioritizing minimal site disturbance, we protected the existing topography and ensured the home would feel organically connected to the landscape.

​

James Knight also discussed the core vision  with the clients who wanted a grounded refuge—a place to disconnect from the busy world and recharge. We established the basic parameters: a comfortable 3-bedroom layout, seamless indoor-outdoor living, and a private workspace separated from the main living areas. (You can learn more about how we evaluate land and begin the planning phase on our Custom Residential Design Services page.)
 

Step 2: Conceptual and Schematic Design
 

Once we fully understood the lot and the family's lifestyle goals, we moved into the concept phase. This is where big ideas start to take visual shape. Over a series of highly collaborative meetings, we explored different massing options, exterior profiles, and spatial relationships.
 

For the Couch residence, one of the most important schematic decisions was the placement of the garage and workspace. To maximize peace and quiet in the main house, we utilized a semi-attached garage. Right above it, we designed a dedicated home office. This created the perfect secluded spot for remote work, completely separated from the daily activity of the 2,246-square-foot main house.
 

During schematic design, we also mapped out the indoor-outdoor flow. Mountain homes need to maximize their environment. We strategically placed expansive windows to capture specific angles of the trees and topography, ensuring that every room benefits from natural light and framed views. By August 2024, the core concept design was officially approved. Explore similar conceptual approaches and finished builds in our Architectural Portfolio.
 

Step 3: Design Development and Materiality
 

Moving from schematic design to design development is a critical transition. It marks the shift from exploration to absolute precision. While the early phases are about drawing lines and defining spaces, design development is about figuring out exactly how those spaces will be constructed.
 

For this home, we focused heavily on intentional materiality. We selected exterior finishes that reflect the rugged mountain setting while maintaining a clean, highly modern aesthetic. As seen in our architectural elevations, the exterior features a thoughtful combination of vertical siding, horizontal siding, and stacked stone cladding along the foundation. These materials ground the structure visually and provide long-lasting durability against the mountain elements.

​

During this phase, we also refined the interior floor plans, ensuring the flow between the 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms was highly efficient. We translated complex structural requirements into clean, easy-to-read floor plans, ensuring that the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems integrated seamlessly into the architectural framework. By September 2024, this highly detailed phase was wrapped up. 
 

Step 4: Budget Alignment and Refinement
 

A beautiful design is only successful if it meets all three major requirements: Style, Needs and Budget. In November 2024, we held a dedicated budget alignment meeting. This is a non-negotiable part of the Reynard design process. We reviewed the detailed design development plans alongside current construction costs to ensure the project remained within the target budget.
 

During the detailing Phase we made final, strategic refinements to the plans to maximize efficiency without sacrificing the design's integrity. Since we maintained open communication through each and every design meeting up to this point, the budget alignment process was smooth and straightforward. Our commitment to transparent budget coordination ensures our designs are not just aspirational but ready to be built once the construction documents are complete.
 

Step 5: Final Construction Documentation
 

The culmination of months of collaborative work is the creation of the construction documents. Delivered to the clients' selected general contractor in December 2024, this comprehensive set of technical drawings serves as the exact instruction manual for the builders.

​

It includes everything from structural framing plans and detailed floor plans to color-rendered architectural elevations. For the Couch residence, these documents translated our carefully crafted vision into actionable steps for the general contractor. With a finalized 2,246 square-foot floor plan, detailed material specifications, and exact site placement instructions for the 1.03-acre lot, the home was ready to transition from a digital model to physical reality.
 

Ready to Start Your Architectural Journey?
 

The journey of designing the Couch residence highlights the immense value of a structured, highly collaborative architectural process. From the initial site walk in Hiawassee to the final delivery of the construction blueprints, every single step was tailored to the client's unique needs and the specific demands of the lot's topography. By balancing stylistic goals with practical realities like budget and structural integrity, we delivered a set of plans that will soon become a lasting family home.

​

If you are ready to start planning your own custom home, we invite you to connect with our team. Contact us today through our Consultation Request page to discuss your vision, evaluate your property, and learn how our comprehensive design process can bring your dream home to life.