5 min readAscending Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and winding through the deep forest, you may catch distant glimpses of what could be a luminous, faceted gemstone or a geometrically precise rock formation. As you emerge from the landscape, a midcentury-influenced marvel comes into view, situated on a hillside slope as though it had organically formed there.
That was RAAD Studio architect James Ramsey’s intent for the “theatrical” approach to this stunning new build. “The property itself is so beautiful that the most important goal for the architecture was for it to be respectful of the landscape,” Ramsey says.
The 9,800-square-foot home ambles across the hilly terrain, its silhouette and scale shifting slightly with every angle, revealing unexpected features to delight all who draw near. “The building contrasts big, spectacular gestures with whimsical, ‘secret’ spaces that are meant to be discovered,” Ramsey continues. “There’s a sense of curiosity that compels people to explore.”
To bring those secret spaces to life and imbue them with the homeowner’s personality, Ramsey collaborated with Cathleen Gruver, lead interior designer at Gruver Cooley.
“From the trap door in the primary bedroom that leads down to the indoor pool to the starry-night ceiling in the steam room, and even a living roof, it all adds to the experience,” Gruver says. “Together, we create something that feels really special and fun to live in.”
What remains consistent throughout a home that contains so many surprises is the emphasis on indoor-outdoor materiality. By opting for a tonal palette largely comprised of natural wood and stone, nothing competes with the cinematic landscape visible through the soaring, double-height glass panes.
“The goal was to balance clean, contemporary design with warmth and livability, resulting in a home that feels thoughtful, personal, and fully integrated into the landscape,” Gruver says.
FAST FACTS
Architect: James Ramsey, RAAD Studio
Designer: Cathleen Gruver, Gruver Cooley
Location: Clarke County, Virginia
The Space: A four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom home across 9,800 square feet
EXTERIOR
The home appears to shape-shift from every vantage point.
The home’s unique hillside setting, along with the hyperlocal materials used throughout its construction, makes the structure appear to unfold as the viewer approaches.
“From an architecture perspective, the home was designed to not only ‘grow’ out of the land itself, but also to use glass to blur the boundary between inside and outside,” Ramsey explains.
POOLSIDE
Alfresco leisure meets modernist form.
One of the building’s hallmark features is its distinctive roof. “The natural-wood ceilings extend past the glass outside as huge cantilevered eaves,” Ramsey says. “The building is so clean and modern, using natural materials was super important to keeping the space warm and livable.”
The outdoor pool was one of several wellness features the client requested, which also included a second indoor pool, a steam room, and a sauna.
INDOOR POOL
Soft accent lighting creates a meditative atmosphere.
The indoor pool serves as its own separate retreat within the home. “A series of architectural arches creates rhythm and repetition along the space, while integrated lighting highlights the curvature and adds a soft glow that reflects off the water,” Gruver says.
LIVING ROOM
Museum-scale windows drench this space in stunning light.
Though installing the dramatic double-height windows with minimal frames was a nerve-wracking part of the build, the expansive effect they have in this living room made it all worth it. “It’s something you usually only will see in a museum,” Ramsey says.
To balance that modern touch, Gruver opted to keep the palette and textures soft. “This space was really about letting the architecture and setting do the heavy lifting,” Gruver says. The room’s curved couch and custom rug invite relaxation and an opportunity to soak in the environment.
SUNKEN LOUNGE
A built-in conversation pit makes for the ideal reading nook.
Tucked just off the main living area, a sunken lounge with a conversation pit offers a more intimate, enclosed environment, contrasting the airiness of the adjoining space. “The owner can have different kinds of experiences depending on their mood,” Ramsey explains.
The surrounding shelving was backed with a marbled wallpaper and holds room for the homeowner’s growing collection of books and art objects, while a “colossal” skylight above floods the area with plenty of natural light for reading.
KITCHEN
The function-first cook space blends in without looking bland.
Facing the main living area, the kitchen takes a utilitarian approach with paneled appliances, integrated storage, and wood-toned accents that complement the clean-line architecture. “Function was a big driver in this space,” Gruver explains. “We were very intentional about keeping everything visually quiet.”
Since everyday meal prep and occasional entertaining are the main functions in the space, the island’s counter seating and a nearby built-in banquette sidestep the need for a formal dining area.
BEDROOM
A calming composition of soft light, subtle textures, and bespoke furnishings.
Within this tranquil retreat, heathered drapery filters the light through the large expanses of glass, highlighting a myriad of bespoke details, from the tailored nightstands to the expansive bed frame. “The furniture was all custom, including the faux-finished headboard and nightstands, which add subtle depth without overpowering the space.” A “trap door” also leads from this room down to the indoor pool, in case the urge to take a dip arises in the off-season.
BATHROOM
Seamless, grounded design complements secluded forest views.
This bathroom is an extension of the earth-tone palette used throughout, thanks to the addition of gorgeous natural stone. “We used a silver travertine on the walls and carried it into the vanity with integrated sinks, which helps everything feel cohesive and grounded,” Gruver notes. Nearby, a dedicated nook for the cement soaking tub gives the concept of “forest bathing” a whole new meaning.
ENTRYWAY
Indoor and outdoor blend beautifully at the home’s threshold.
Whether guests are entering the home or heading out the door, there’s no jarring transition between indoors and outdoors—and that’s by design. “A custom wood front door introduces a vertical slat detail that continues into the interior, creating a strong sense of continuity,” Gruver notes. That same material pattern extends to a built-in bench; its faux leather upholstery is nearly the same color as the stained door.
The concrete floor also keeps the palette cohesive with the exterior, while sculptural brass wall hooks add “a bit of personality” to an otherwise quiet space, as Gruver puts it.
About the Designers
James Ramsey is the scuba-diving, fossil-hunting, slide guitar-picking, origami-folding founder of RAAD Studio and creator of the Lowline. James studied architecture at Yale University and has taught at Parsons School of Design, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, the Kremlin, and the South Korean Congress.
Cathleen Gruver of the design firm Gruver Cooley has her M.A. in Interior Design from Marymount University, where she has served as an adjunct professor. She received ASID’s “Ones to Watch” Award and NKBA's prestigious "30 Under 30” award.
