Kohout Residence

Can you describe your design process for the building?

Our process consisted of listening to the owner and dividing up the house into zones based on use, adjacency, views, and privacy. This established the basic plan layout. For the roof shape and exterior materials we had to creatively interpret the development guidelines geared more toward developer driven spec homes. For example, the roof slope and material were dictated by the ordinance, but by inverting the roof into a butterfly configuration we were able to meet the letter of the guidelines and still create a clean modern exterior profile.

How does the completed building compare to the project as designed? Were there any dramatic changes between the two and/or lessons learned during construction?

The completed project was not altered significantly from the original design. One thing we did learn during construction is that it is difficult to keep bystanders off the construction site when you are doing something so unique to the area.

How does the building compare to other projects in your office, be it the same or other building types?

While we treat each project as a separate design problem, there is a commonality to how we bring light into spaces and how views are controlled. Windows tend to be arranged so light can enter a room from more than one side and frame specific elements in the landscape, or arrangements within the room itself.

How does the building relate to contemporary architectural trends, be it sustainability, technology, etc.?

While not designed to any standard the house does feature sustainable materials and techniques such as the extensive use of wood, natural light, and recycled paper countertops.

How would you describe the architecture of South Dakota and how does the building relate to it?

South Dakota really doesn’t have an architectural style apart from the endless McMansions, strip malls, and the occasional ‘western’ themed building. It was more our desire to make a house that was sensitive to its surroundings and embraced the low prairie covered sand dunes of the river plain.

Email interview conducted by John Hill.