RTA Studio Residential Architects

May 2013

Craftman-styled homes are most commonly found on small lots in inner-ring suburbs, but we think the style is a perfect choice for the house on this large rural property. The owners, with their cats and large dog, needed a bit larger home than the ranch they'd been living in. But "larger" is always a relative term - this home manages to live a lot larger in less than 2,800 square feet. At the center of the design is one living area - combining family room, dining room, and kitchen - that saves space, but more importantly, opens views to all sides of the house. The main living area doesn't feel like one big room, however. We used a number of design features to "separate" the spaces - things like columns (several of which hide pipes and ducts) and dropped beams. A built-in cabinet does triple duty - for storage and display of course, but it also helps define the dining area, and it visually separates the entry hall from the main living spaces. We had lots of fun with the stair in this house, too. While the location of the stair is highly functional, the stair itself is something of a sculpture piece, winding down from the second floor to a mid-floor landing, and finally spilling out into onto the first floor.

Delaware, OH

Apr 2013

The Sunbeam Family Farm in Alexandria, Ohio is a 10-acre operation that's a model of sustainable vegetable production and responsible land stewardship, supplying farmer's markets and restaurants in central Ohio with organically-grown vegetables. As the farm opertation got underway, RTA Studio worked with the owners to create a small, low-maintenance farmhouse that fit the site and captured the expansive views of the surrounding fields. The compact, efficient 1,875 square foot floor plan is simple - the family room, kitchen, and casual dining area are essentially one large room. There's a master bedroom on the first floor, and two smaller bedrooms in the half-story above. Windows on three sides show the entire farm, and bring in abundant natural light. The orientation of the house allows with winter sun deep into the house while keeping the high summer sun out. The stairwell wasn't designed just for the drama. The remotely-operable skylight above lights the stairwell, but more importantly, serves as an outlet for warm air - creating a passive cooling effect that minimizes the need for air conditioning. Check out our blog at www.rtastudio.blogspot.com for more photos of the Sunbeam Family Farmhouse.

Alexandria, OH

Jan 2011

On the outskirts of a rural Ohio college town, a growing family (Mom, Dad, kids, dog, chickens, and Alpacas) is taking on the task of turning a run-down farmhouse into a family home. Phase one is just about done - a few details are left to touch up - and the results are pretty spectacular. All three floors of the house have been transformed - some rooms were completely redone (kitchen, master bath, master bedroom) while others needed just a cleanup and a coat of paint. Most exciting is what was done with attic. At first glance it didn't seem to be big enough for an entire master suite. But by taking advantage of every nook and cranny, and adding a small shed dormer, we were able to create a wonderful space is a surprise to everyone who visits the home.

Granville, OH