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The Preston Home – A Custom Residence in South Weber, Utah

Overview

The Preston Home is a custom-built residence located at the end of a cul-de-sac in South Weber, Utah. Completed in 2018 through a collaboration with True Homes, this above-ground dwelling features three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. The design process was uniquely driven by the clients’ desire to replicate the exterior of a photo they provided, requiring a reverse-engineering approach to align the exterior aesthetics with a functional interior floor plan. Key features of the home include an open-concept main floor, integrated front and rear porches, and intricate roofing structures over the garage to achieve a barn-style look.

Project Goals

Client-Specific Exterior Design: Recreate the exterior appearance from a photo provided by the clients.
Outdoor Living Spaces: Provide both front and rear porches for leisure and enjoyment of the surrounding environment.
Functional Interior Layout: Develop an interior floor plan that complements the custom exterior while meeting the clients’ living needs.
Open-Concept Living: Incorporate an open-concept design on the main floor to enhance spaciousness and flow.
Structural Integrity: Ensure complex roofing structures are correctly implemented over the garage area.

Design and Implementation

Exterior and Layout:

  • Custom Exterior Design:
    • Reversed engineered the exterior based on the clients’ photo to achieve the desired aesthetic.
    • Focused on a barn-style appearance, particularly over the garage area.
  • Cul-de-Sac Location:
    • Situated at the end of a cul-de-sac, providing privacy and a unique lot shape to work with.

Main Floor Features:

  • Open-Concept Design:
    • The main floor features an open layout connecting the kitchen, dining, and living areas.
    • Enhances natural light flow and provides a spacious atmosphere.
  • Kitchen and Finishes:
    • Equipped with white cabinets and a minimalist design approach.
    • Hardwood floors are installed throughout the main living areas.

Outdoor Spaces:

  • Integrated Rear Deck:
    • The back deck is built into the structure of the home, with the second floor extending over it to provide a roof.
    • Positioned to capture the morning sun rising through the canyon and offer shade in the afternoon.
  • Front Porch:
    • A welcoming front porch allows residents to enjoy views down the cul-de-sac.
    • Enhances the home’s curb appeal and provides additional outdoor living space.

Roofing and Structural Details:

  • Complex Truss System Over Garage:
    • Implemented two different truss systems to achieve the barn-style look:
      • Main trusses running left to right for the primary roof structure.
      • Additional front-facing gable trusses to create the desired aesthetic.
    • Multiple site visits were conducted to ensure structural and architectural accuracy during construction.

Challenges and Solutions:

  • Reverse Engineering the Exterior:
    • Challenge: Adapting an exterior design from a photo while creating a practical interior layout.
    • Solution: Collaborated closely with the clients to align their exterior aesthetic preferences with a functional floor plan, resulting in a harmonious design that met all requirements.
  • Complex Roofing Structure:
    • Challenge: Designing and constructing a roof over the garage that combined two different truss systems.
    • Solution: Detailed architectural and structural planning, along with on-site supervision, ensured the trusses were installed correctly to achieve the barn-style appearance without compromising structural integrity.
  • Site Orientation and Sun Exposure:
    • Challenge: Maximizing natural light and minimizing afternoon heat exposure.
    • Solution: Oriented the back porch to capture the morning sun from the canyon and provide shade in the afternoon, enhancing comfort for the residents.

Outcome

The Preston Home successfully fulfills the clients’ vision of a custom exterior while providing a functional and comfortable interior space. The open-concept main floor, combined with the integration of front and rear porches, offers versatile living and entertaining areas. The complex roofing design over the garage was executed flawlessly, resulting in the desired barn-style aesthetic. Completed within a 10-month construction period, the home continues to satisfy the owners, who remain 100% pleased with their residence.

Key Features Recap

  • Total Square Footage: Above ground with three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms.
  • Location: South Weber, Utah, at the end of a cul-de-sac.
  • Exterior Design:
    • Custom-designed exterior based on clients’ provided photo.
    • Barn-style roofing over the garage with dual truss systems.
  • Main Floor:
    • Open-concept layout connecting kitchen, dining, and living areas.
    • Minimalist kitchen with white cabinets.
    • Hardwood flooring throughout.
  • Outdoor Spaces:
    • Integrated rear deck with overhead coverage from the second floor.
    • Front porch offering views down the cul-de-sac.
  • Structural Highlights:
    • Complex truss design requiring careful architectural and structural coordination.
    • Multiple site visits ensured construction accuracy.
  • Sun Orientation:
    • Back porch positioned to enjoy morning sun and provide afternoon shade.

Conclusion

The Preston Home is a testament to Shadd Johnson Design’s ability to tailor a home’s exterior and interior to a client’s specific vision while addressing structural challenges. By reverse-engineering the exterior design and carefully planning the interior layout, the project achieved a harmonious balance between aesthetics and functionality. The successful implementation of complex roofing structures and thoughtful site orientation enhances the home’s appeal and livability. The clients’ continued satisfaction underscores the project’s success and the firm’s commitment to delivering personalized, high-quality residential designs.

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