Mountain Home Architecture in Franklin, North Carolina

Wayah Cove - Franklin, NC - Reynard Architectural Designs Exterior of a modern, dark-grey A-frame cabin at sunset, featuring warm glowing windows, a small wooden front porch, string lights, and fresh landscaping alongside a gravel driveway with mountains in the background.

Outside the Nantahala National Forest in Franklin, NC Wayah Cove Is a Custom Designed A-Frame Cabin in the Mountains

Architecture by James Knight

Photography by Kalyn Kight

Exterior view of the peak of a dark-sided A-frame cabin at dusk.

This thoughtfully designed open-concept living area maximizes its footprint.

It's all in the details at Wayah Cove. This close-up perspective of the kitchen island.

Wake up fully immersed in nature in this cozy A-frame bedroom.

Wayah Cove - Franklin, NC - Reynard Architectural Designs

Sleep among the trees in this stunning loft bedroom at our Wayah Cove project in Franklin, NC.

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Project Overview

Total Square Footage: ~1,200 sq. ft.
Lot Size: 1.08 Acres (Lot 16)
Bedrooms: 2 (Main Level)
Bathrooms: 2 Full Baths (1 shared bath with double vanity and tub; 1 bath with walk-in shower)
Levels: 2 (Main Floor + Upper Loft)

overhead site plan for Wayah Cove, a custom mountain cabin project by Reynard Architectural Designs in Franklin, NC. The visual overlays technical property boundaries and measurements for the 1.08-acre Lot 16 onto a realistic wooded landscape. Key features include Wayah Cove Road, a curving gravel driveway, the proposed dwelling's footprint featuring a large wraparound wood deck and stone front path, and surrounding native mountain greenery.

Architectural floor plan (level 1) of Wayah Cove, a modern cabin retreat in Franklin, NC. The plan shows extensive wraparound and private decks (shaded in gray). The interior includes an open-plan great room with a fireplace and kitchen island with DW and range, a primary bedroom with a prominent central circular spiral staircase in the adjacent hallway, a secondary bedroom with a closet, a central laundry room, a shared full master bath with double sinks and tub, and a second full bath with a shower. The layout emphasizes indoor-outdoor living.

Level 2 floor plan architectural drawing for Wayah Cove, a custom A-frame home in Franklin, NC. The blueprint illustrates the upper-level layout, featuring a central spiral staircase, a 19 by 15 foot loft space, the vaulted open-to-below living area, and the overlapping rooflines of the mountain cabin design.

Cross section by home architect near me James Knight of Reynard Architectural Designs

sectional view architectural rendering of a modern custom A-frame designed by architect of Reynard Architectural Designs

Overheard elevation architectural rendering of a custom modern mountain home in Sevierville, TN by Reynard Architectural

Sectional of an A-Frame mountain home by architect James Knight showing the exterior on a mountain lot short term rental home

A detailed, realistic photograph overlay showing the South Elevation of the finished Wayah Cove custom A-frame cabin, based on the plan from image_6.png. The perspective is flat and precise. Realistic textures include dark charcoal horizontal siding, dimensional roof shingles, and a split-face concrete block foundation. Features visible include the large multi-pane gable window (W/004), the glazed multi-panel door (D/001), the narrow ground window (W/003), and the metal chimney with brace. All architectural callouts are precisely re-created as a technical overlay: '2 / A100 SOUTH ELEVATION', all level markers with specific heights ('PEAK OF ROOF 28'-4"', '01-LEVEL 1 10'-0"', '00-CEILING 9'-0"', '00-GROUND FLOOR 0'-0"'), and component markers. A warm interior glow and distant, dimly lit trees are visible.

West Elevation
Architectural cross-section drawing (Section AA) of Wayah Cove, a custom A-frame cabin in Franklin, NC. The blueprint reveals the interior spatial layout, including the steep pitch roof structure, a second-story loft with railing, a central spiral staircase, ground-floor utility spaces, and the concrete block foundation.

Wayah Cove Franklin, NC - Reynard Architectural Designs - floorplan 2

North elevation of a custom A-Frame designed by James Knight in Franklin, NC Reynard Architectural Designs.

Interior Features & Layout

Great Room: Open-concept living area featuring a cozy fireplace and vaulted ceilings open to the second floor.
Kitchen: Modern layout with a central island, integrated range, and dishwasher.
Staircase: Custom central circular spiral staircase.
Second-Level Loft: Spacious 19’5” x 15’10” flexible loft area overlooking the great room below.
Utility: Dedicated main-floor laundry room located conveniently near the bedrooms and bathrooms.

High in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina, Wayah Cove is more than just a cabin—it's a sanctuary.

This distinctive A-Frame style retreat, completed in 2023 in Franklin, NC, offers a charming and secluded mountain getaway. The project was meticulously designed by James Knight of Reynard Architectural Designs.

Boasting an efficient 1,200-square-foot floor plan with two bedrooms and two baths, this custom-designed home was purposefully created as a haven for peace, healing, and rejuvenation.

While it now serves as a cherished vacation spot and beautiful example of short-term rental design, Wayah Cove holds a deeply meaningful history. It was originally intended as a hospice location to honor the final days of a beloved family member.

Today, its current purpose as a nature-inspired retreat continues to celebrate her memory while showcasing the warmth and beauty of mountain modern architecture.

In the serene Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Wayah Cove is more than just a cabin—it's a sanctuary. This distinctive A-Frame style retreat, built in 2023 in Franklin, NC, offers a charming and secluded getaway. Boasting over 1,200 square feet with two bedrooms and two baths, the custom-designed home was purposefully created as a haven for peace, healing, and rejuvenation. While now a cherished vacation spot, Wayah Cove holds a deeply meaningful history: it was originally intended as a hospice location to honor the final days of a beloved family member, and its current purpose as a retreat continues to celebrate her memory.

This thoughtfully designed open-concept living area maximizes its efficient footprint with soaring vaulted ceilings and a seamless flow between spaces. The kitchen features striking dark green cabinetry paired with warm, rustic butcher block countertops and an inviting dual-level island peninsula. A dramatic black metal spiral staircase serves as a functional architectural focal point, leading up to the spacious open loft. The adjacent living space, complete with a cozy modern sofa

Architectural Specifications

Completed in 2023, Wayah Cove perfectly captures the essence of mountain modern architecture.

Designed to function seamlessly as both a private sanctuary and a highly desirable short-term rental retreat, this custom A-Frame home blends striking structural details with its natural woodland surroundings.

Exterior & Structural Details

Iconic Roofline: A dramatic, steep-pitch A-Frame silhouette peaking at 28' 4", finished with durable dimensional charcoal shingles.
Modern Siding: Distinctive dark charcoal horizontal lap siding that grounds the cabin in a rustic contemporary aesthetic.
Mountain-Adapted Foundation: A stepped, split-face concrete block foundation, expertly engineered to adapt to the sloping terrain of the lot.
Scenic Windows: Expansive, floor-to-ceiling multi-pane gable windows purposefully designed to maximize natural light and capture breathtaking mountain views.

Outdoor Living & Site Integration

Elevated Outdoor Spaces: Designed for seamless indoor-outdoor living with an extensive open-air wraparound wood deck, a covered side entryway, and a welcoming front entry porch.
Natural Landscaping: Integrated beautifully into the mountain environment with a crushed gravel driveway, mature trees, and native landscaping.

Designing Wayah Cove: A modern mountain retreat in North Carolina.

Exterior view of the peak of a dark-sided A-frame cabin at dusk. Large custom triangular windows glow with warm interior light and reflect the surrounding tall trees. A string of Edison bulb lights is draped horizontally across the lower portion of the dark siding against a twilight blue sky.

High in the peaceful Blue Ridge Mountains of Franklin, North Carolina, this project began with a uniquely profound purpose. When the clients first approached Reynard Architectural Designs, they weren't simply looking for a vacation cabin; they were seeking a place where a loved one could find peace and comfort after a terminal illness diagnosis.

The home was conceived to be a type of hospice retreat for their family member's final days, and the project carried immense emotional significance. Our architect James Knight and our team understood that this 1.08-acre lot required an architectural response as sensitive to the clients' story as to the rugged Appalachian terrain.

The Architectural Approach

Our design process began with deep listening. The goal was to capture a sense of healing, light, and tranquility within an efficient, 1,200-square-foot footprint. Through site analysis and iterative concept planning, we selected a custom A-Frame silhouette, elevating the classic form into a striking example of mountain modern architecture.

To navigate the sloping mountain topography of Lot 16, we engineered a stepped, split-face concrete block foundation. This allowed the home to sit naturally on the hillside without excessive grading that would disrupt the native landscape. Rising to a dramatic peak of 28 feet, 4 inches, the steep roof and dark charcoal horizontal lap siding were purposefully chosen to blend the structure inside the shadows of the surrounding mature pines and hardwoods.

Blurring the Lines Between Indoors and Out

A core tenet of the Wayah Cove design was connection—specifically, creating a biophilic environment that brings the healing power of nature inside. We integrated expansive, floor-to-ceiling multi-pane gable windows on the main elevation. These architectural focal points flood the interiors with warm natural light and perfectly frame breathtaking Western North Carolina sunsets.

To expand the usable footprint and encourage outdoor living, we designed extensive open-air wraparound wood decks, a welcoming front porch, and a covered side entrance. This seamless indoor-outdoor flow allows visitors to enjoy the fresh mountain air almost anywhere on the property.

Inside, every square inch was carefully designed to maximize comfort and visual space. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout revolves around an open plan great room. A comfortable fireplace anchors the living area, while a custom circular spiral staircase serves as a striking piece of functional art. This staircase leads to a spacious upper loft, leaving the main living area vaulted and "open to below," which ensures the compact cabin feels incredibly airy, grand, and unconfined.

A Lasting Legacy

Today, Wayah Cove is a short term vacation rental that is testament to love and purposeful architectural design. While its origins were rooted in providing a peaceful haven for a family's final goodbyes, the home has gracefully evolved. The aim was to continually celebrate her memory by offering peace and rejuvenation to all who visit.

For Reynard Architectural Designs, Wayah Cove encapsulates exactly what we strive to achieve: translating a deeply personal client vision into a beautiful, lasting mountain home.