Fayetteville Arkansas | 2015 | House

Mood Ring House is an exploration of how architecture can have different day and night presences with distinct experiential and spatial qualities. This unique house is located in an eclectic neighborhood near the town center of Fayetteville, Arkansas. 

The “T” shaped volume is born out of a mix of site limitations and opportunities, economic constraints, and programmatic requirements. With a skewed alignment to the lot lines, the siting preserves two established monumental trees, orienting the house to take advantage of north light from a clerestory, and south and west facing views of the immediate forest and distant mountains, all while fronting the main intersection near the property.

A live-work space, work functions are consolidated on the ground, with a majority of living spaces above. The small base aids in reducing the footprint, preserving existing trees, and reducing foundation costs, which are a premium in the unstable Arkansas soil. The cantilevering upper level, in concert with the dramatically sloping site, affords views to the living spaces, creating a private enclave amidst the tree canopy. Beneath overhangs is a carport on the west facing front and an outdoor room on the east facing rear.  The shed roof, open to the north, when coupled with an inverted truss profile, flood the interior volume with natural light. At night, illuminated soffits construct volumes out of projecting colored light from concealed LED fixtures. Colors are derived either automatically from the temperament of the house or directly by owners’ desire. 

Photography by Timothy Hursley