2022 RDAA | Custom Period or Vernacular House | Trott Residence | Tina Govan Architect with ThoughtCraft Architects

It’s a mistake to think a house in the city can’t bring you closer to nature and community life, for that’s exactly what this new house by Tina Govan Architect and ThoughtCraft Architects does for its client. Inspired by the existing fabric, especially a historic house with a commodious front porch and a big balcony across the street, Trott Residence layers privacy and public engagement with creativity and sophistication. 

“We were both inspired by the location,” says Tina Govan of her collaboration with Jason Hart of ThoughtCraft. “This is a neighborhood that is really evolving,” says Jason. “Tina and I spent a lot of time walking around the streets. There’s a whole pattern of front porches and private gardens. The house weaves together all those elements and distant views of Durham.” 

Other essentials were an emphasis on sustainability and a commitment to giving back to the community by using local craftspeople and trades. Says Jason, “Our client was very philanthropic about practicing ‘slow money’ and investing in small businesses.”

Starting from the big, open front porch, the house unfolds in a series of layered spaces. Spaces are sometimes open, sometimes semi-private, and, in the case of a secluded garden off the primary suite, completely private. The garden makes use of a large green roof that intensifies the natural bounty of the site. “The green roof lightens the mass of the house, because it reads as landscape and garden,” Tina explains.  Our judges agreed: “They did a lot to reduce the mass. They really played off creating something new using the existing proportions of the neighborhood.” 



Citation

Tina Govan Architect with ThoughtCraft Architects

Trott Residence

Durham, North Carolina

Project Credits

Architect: Tina Govan, AIA, Tina Govan Architect, Inc., Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jason Hart, AIA, and Chris Johns, AIA, ThoughtCraft Architects, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Boston, Massachusetts 

Builder: Bob Wuopio, Form Design/Build, LLC, Raleigh

Landscape Architect: Laura Moore, ASLA, Chapel Hill

Project Size: 3,470 square feet 

Site Size: 0.65 acre

Construction Cost: Withheld

Photography: Mark Herboth Photography


Key Products

Bathroom Ventilation: Panasonic

Cabinetry Hardware: Mockett

Cladding: Thermally modified poplar

Cooktop: Wolf

Dishwasher: Fisher & Paykel

Entry Doors/Windows: Marvin Elevate collection

Faucets: Franz Viegener, Dornbracht, Hansgrohe

Fireplace: Heat & Glo

Lighting Control: Lutron

Outdoor Grill: Blaze

Ovens/Refrigerator/Freezer/
Specialty Appliances/Washer/Dryer: Whirlpool

Paints: Sherwin-Williams

Roof Windows: VELUX

Roofing: Standing seam GALVALUME steel, green roof by Living Roofs, Inc.

Sinks: Duravit, Julien (kitchen)

Thermal/Moisture Barriers: VaproShield

Toilets: TOTO

Window Wall Systems: Folding Sliding Door Co.