The owners wanted more than just a pool house for their wooded 3.5-acre Memphis property bordering a nature preserve. They also wanted it to be a party place where multiple generations could gather and a comfortable guest house that would take full advantage of their backyard forest. To meet those challenges, architect Todd Walker insisted that everything from foundation materials to tools be carried in by hand so as not to disturb the trees or erode the 13-foot grade. His design faces large expanses of glass due south across the pool to catch the sun without a lot of solar gain. He chose reclaimed cypress shingle siding and trim that will weather to match the bark of adjacent trees. An exaggerated roof pitch is a nod to the traditional main house, but primarily serves as a way to include a play loft.
Builder: Evergreen Construction, Memphis; Architect: Archimania, Memphis; Photographer: Jeffrey Jacobs for Esto.
