Moving Towards a High Performance Architecture In architecture school, the only studio class we had beyond design and theory was given by a sandal-clad professor reacting to the 1970’s energy crisis. Norbert Lechner had a passion for passive solar design. He had a goal to develop students’ studio designs with solar orientation in mind. He assigned each of his students to create an adjustable stand for use in the college sun simulation model. Unfortunately, our passive solar

Construction is nearly complete on our renovation home in Big Canoe, Georgia. This home originally had several chopped up rooms with small windows, which did not take advantage of the incredible views. Plans are to open up the public spaces add larger fixed windows, create 2 spacious master suites with larger windows, and add a double height heavy timber porch off the rear of the home. We are also updating the dated front of the home with a new stair tower and heavy timber e

A renovation to a 1980’s home in Big Canoe is underway. The home originally had several chopped up rooms with small windows. The home was not taking advantage of the incredible views Big Canoe has to offer. Our plans are to open up the public spaces, add larger fixed windows, create 2 spacious master suites with larger windows, add a double height heavy timber porch off the rear of the home, and update the dated front of the home with a new stair tower and heavy timber entry

A few progress photos from our Big Canoe project currently under construction. Lots of big changes are taking place, including a new heavy timber entry porch and a new 2 story heavy timber rear porch. Additionally, we are doing significant interior renovation and adding new larger windows. These photos help show existing conditions of Big Canoe Project with construction progress photos. Tearing out an old greenhouse on a floor level in between the first and basement floors a

Recent clients from Montana got in touch with Jones Pierce to help them create a “not so big” retirement home for them. The site is located in the Big Canoe community of North Georgia, near Jasper. The home not only incorporates “not so big” detailing, but it’s also designed around the sun. Known as a passive solar design, this home’s aim is to maintain interior thermal comfort throughout the sun’s daily and annual cycles while reducing the requirement for active heating and