The sculptural stone outcroppings of this Nellysford, Virginia site, inspired the angularity of the massing of this house and the shears in the rock structures, where moss and lichen find hold, gave rise to the sluice concept – a split in the house where a connecting bridge spans a rock and plant-filled raingarden.

The sluice also serves to demarcate living spaces from the private sanctum of the master bedroom of this 2,800 SF house. A corner stair opens up a two-story connection between the kids’ common room and the great room, and crack in the roof makes room for a third-story “nest” serving as office. The house will begin construction in 2010.