The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
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337 Mountain Homes "The mountains are calling and I must go." J ohn Muir's time-honored quote has resonated with so many because it speaks to the innate romantic attraction we have to these ancient, majestic places that naturally evoke a sense of coming home. Whether it's the dramatic character and intensity of the landforms or the vibrancy and diversity of flora and fauna, we are drawn to the mountains on a fundamental level—deep, abiding love for their power and beauty seems to be designed into the very structure of our DNA. Though my oeuvre spans a range of project types over decades of private practice, my strongest connection is to mountain landscapes—the Appalachians in particular—which grew f rom a lifelong affiliation with the Blue Ridge of Virginia. In fact, my design practice was born atop Blackrock Mountain at Wintergreen Resort, where my first commission was a modest home nestled into its eastern exposure. When called upon to design for mountain living, my overarching objective is a careful, sensitive response to the setting, one that fosters a true sense of place and kinship with the natural conditions that is also protective of the ecosystem. I "listen" to and observe the subtle patterns of light, energy, and microclimate in concert with the more overt characteristics that comprise viewsheds, plant communities, and rock outcrops. The best of mountain architecture seeks a comfortable balance between quiet enjoyment and an intensification of our relationship with nature at all scales—earth, sky, and cosmos—and the diverse homes featured in this chapter exemplify this common passion shared by their architects and homeowners. Patrick Farley, AIA, LEED BD+C Patrick Farley Architect Afton, VA see page 462 T Patrick Farley Architect, Afton, VA, page 462