Shenandoah Woods

DESIGN

STAR TANNERY, VA

Shenandoah Woods - one hundred acres of woods with creek access in Shenandoah County, VA - serves as a weekend retreat for a family of five from Vienna. The project plays on the themes of imagination, exploration, adventure, and play while encouraging interaction with the natural environment. The layout of the site draws inspiration from traditional summer camps harkening back to the father’s days as a Scout. Reading nooks can be found in all of the built spaces, a tribute to the mother of the family who is a reading specialist at an elementary school. Hiking and biking trails are scattered around - some lead to swimming holes, others to in-ground trampolines or private hot tub retreats. A centrally located communal lodge serves as the primary cooking and gathering space - a place to start and end the adventures of each day.