Kimberton 

The core of this house was built 150 years ago. Facing South it is ideally situated for passive (and active) solar heating. We added the large tower on the left, balcony and skylights, as well as the summer-kitchen outbuilding, the courtyard (summer living room) and gardens. The upper level of the tower holds the master bedroom suite, designed to capture the light of both sunrise and sunset. A stargazing loft enjoys view directly into the night sky.
We also dug down the old root cellar floor, added radiant floor heat and several windows as well as a separate entrance for a street level office or future rental suite.
The house is located in the middle of a historic village, but feels secluded due to the strategic placement of the new building components, which also offer much needed courtyard shading in the mid to late afternoon. The interior was transformed to bring garden views in and provide natural cooling and summer ventilation (clients use no AC ). For indoor climate control reasons, deciduous trees and vines were added on the South and West sides, as well as a creeper vine on the building walls to the North and East.
A wall fountain on the West side of the courtyard adds summer cooling, as well as obscuring any street and equipment noises from adjacent village stores. Tower and outbuilding wrap their arms around the courtyard to create a sense of sanctuary, serenity and complete privacy.

Pueblo ladder, dining table and bench by Harrington Design Studio