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Collection by Tom Givone

twist farmhouse

The owner of this 1800s farmhouse, in rural Pennsylvania, grew up in the old farmhouse right across the street. Her mother still lives there, and like the creek that runs through both properties, family flows freely back and forth. I imagined this family bond as a physical force, like a gravitational field, acting on the structure and “pulling” it toward the owner’s childhood home; a sculptural expression of family connection. Twisting it in this way opened up new sight lines as well, allowing the owner to gaze upon her childhood home and the surrounding fields as the torquing volume "nods" towards them.

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The first design impetus was to bring the original house back. The second was to turn it on its ear.
The first design impetus was to bring the original house back. The second was to turn it on its ear.
The direction from the homeowner was simple; open space and lots of light. A suspended balcony draws the eye up the full height of the gently curving walls as sunlight washes down from above.
The direction from the homeowner was simple; open space and lots of light. A suspended balcony draws the eye up the full height of the gently curving walls as sunlight washes down from above.
Anodized aluminum porch columns match the addition siding, and stainless steel cables, virtually invisible, maximize the creek side views. Mahogany floors and bead board ceilings complement the farmhouse’s original clapboard siding.
Anodized aluminum porch columns match the addition siding, and stainless steel cables, virtually invisible, maximize the creek side views. Mahogany floors and bead board ceilings complement the farmhouse’s original clapboard siding.
Salvaged hand hewn ceiling beams complement the original beams now exposed along the entire perimeter of the walls in the master bedroom. Ceiling fan by Haiku.
Salvaged hand hewn ceiling beams complement the original beams now exposed along the entire perimeter of the walls in the master bedroom. Ceiling fan by Haiku.
A window wall of privacy glass illuminates the shower stall, which features a 16” square stainless steel shower head.
A window wall of privacy glass illuminates the shower stall, which features a 16” square stainless steel shower head.
Quartz tile and original plank floors surround a 1920’s schoolhouse sink in the vaulted second floor bathroom. The sink’s original tap openings were enlarged to accommodate modern Jado faucets, and the entire sink was re-glazed. Old turquoise locker found in a barn in upstate NY.
Quartz tile and original plank floors surround a 1920’s schoolhouse sink in the vaulted second floor bathroom. The sink’s original tap openings were enlarged to accommodate modern Jado faucets, and the entire sink was re-glazed. Old turquoise locker found in a barn in upstate NY.
In the kitchen, a 12’ wide window kisses the Carrara marble countertop, the marble apron sink custom made from the same slab. Original wide-plank floors were discovered beneath layers of linoleum and plywood and restored.
In the kitchen, a 12’ wide window kisses the Carrara marble countertop, the marble apron sink custom made from the same slab. Original wide-plank floors were discovered beneath layers of linoleum and plywood and restored.
An anodized aluminum handrail and original exposed beams in the vaulted stairwell. The minimalist staircase is crafted from the farmhouse’s original wall planks.
An anodized aluminum handrail and original exposed beams in the vaulted stairwell. The minimalist staircase is crafted from the farmhouse’s original wall planks.
Creekside view of old and new at dusk.
Creekside view of old and new at dusk.
The twisting volume is glimpsed from the road, confusing and delighting the locals, as it peaks out beyond the deep covered porch.
The twisting volume is glimpsed from the road, confusing and delighting the locals, as it peaks out beyond the deep covered porch.
Original wide plank floors and hand hewn beams, once hidden, are now exposed throughout.
Original wide plank floors and hand hewn beams, once hidden, are now exposed throughout.
Original farmhouse wall planks, salvaged during demolition, are now custom window sills and random-width antique floor boards in the suspended balcony space.
Original farmhouse wall planks, salvaged during demolition, are now custom window sills and random-width antique floor boards in the suspended balcony space.
Tom and his architects collaborated with a roller coaster manufacturer to fabricate the curving spinal columns that made the undulating walls of the torquing addition possible.
Tom and his architects collaborated with a roller coaster manufacturer to fabricate the curving spinal columns that made the undulating walls of the torquing addition possible.