‘crabill modern’ by tonic design, hillsborough, north carolina image © richard leo johnson all images courtesy of tonic design

american firm tonic design has finished the ‘crabill modern,’ a residence in the middle of a clearing in the surrounding five-acre lush forest property near hillsborough, north carolina. the family wanted a dwelling sensitive to the natural ecosystem, that encouraged creativity and provided a comfortable and interesting space to live. taking cues from the barn shed typology, the contemporary reinterpretation skews the floor plan, with perforated and solid corten panels fulfill the purpose of shading, screening and protecting from the natural elements without the need for further maintenance.

the first floor contains the entry, kitchen, living room, music/studio space and two decks. the upper level has the private bedrooms and a loft. oak flooring adds a warmth to the interior surfaces, filled with natural light from the surrounding woodland. the dwelling was built for 155$ per square foot due to the design/build process and the availability of local materials. the national wildlife federation has also certified the house as a natural habitat.

tonic design: crabill modern residence backside of the house, view from the forest image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence steel plates wrap the exterior image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence perforated metal panels shade from the sun image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence easy assembly cuts down on construction time and cost image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence interior living area image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence perforated metal panels lining the stairs image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence construction process image © richard leo johnson

tonic design: crabill modern residence site plan

tonic design: crabill modern residence floor plan / level 0

tonic design: crabill modern residence floor plan / level 1

tonic design: crabill modern residence section

tonic design: crabill modern residence evolution of the form

project info:

location: hillsborough, nc clients: john and stacy crabill designer: vinny petrarca, tonic design builder: tonic construction photos: richard leo johnson structural engineer: richard kaydos-daniels electrical engineer: adam carrington framing: fernando lazano roofing: ronald dean gipson flooring: fisher hardwood flooring