Hanes House, timeless design

Hanes House emerges from the Appalachian Mountains with the stark rigour of granite.
The colours and forms chosen for this holiday home in Andersonville, Tennessee combine a European-style project with a typically American natural setting. Set among green hills and lakes, Hanes House was designed by the Ohio-based practice Tectonic Design and, in the words of architect Tonino Vicari, brings together “a timeless design and an expression of modern sustainability”.
The project was completed in May 2014 and took part in the Confindustria Ceramica Tile Competition Held in the United States during Coverings 2015, winning an honourable mention for the residential category. The multi-level house, dominated by greys, white, steel and large windows, is designed to function like a small hotel, accommodating more than one family at the same time while ensuring privacy for all the guests. The house features sliding doors and each suite has a bathroom and a private balcony. The common areas are large and brightly lit, reflecting the architect’s vision of light as a fully-fledged furnishing element.
On the first floor a complete glass wall illuminates the living room and kitchen, while on the lower floor the relaxation and leisure room opens onto a terrace overlooking the valley. “The light and dark greys of Kerlite from Cotte d’Este, in the colours Office and Road, the angular shapes, colour and veins are reminiscent of the granite of the surrounding mountains,” explained Tonino Vicari.
“It is nature itself that inspired this house: these surface coverings blend into the surroundings.”
All elements of Hanes House exhibit a perfect balance between sustainability and design.
“The shape of the building, the lines of the reflecting metal roof and the layout and exposure of the rooms are all tied up with nature and its rhythms,” continued the architect. “As the house is mainly used in the summer, we had to ensure that it would keep cool during the hotter months. The north façade offers a spectacular view and features deep overhangs and a roof shaped so as to shade the interior from the hot afternoon sun.” The building is well insulated and adopts a passive cooling system along with ventilated exterior walls clad with large-format tiles. The construction materials and design are intended to improve interior ventilation and provide natural cooling for the large house. The doors and windows, furnishing accessories and lighting are all European.
The architect opted for an open-space layout with neutral-coloured and geometrically-shaped furnishings and sofas and chose a small number of linear furnishing accessories.
Nothing detracts attention from the large windows, from the breathtaking views of magnificent, unspoilt nature. With the exception of a few minimalist suspension lamps, the lights are all ceiling mounted. Italian tiles were chosen for the floors and exterior walls, not only for their design and the colours that blended with those of the mountains, but above all for their high quality and ease of maintenance. “All the materials used were chosen to ensure that in ten years’ time the Hanes family will have a home that has remained unchanged since the time it was built.”
Kerlite in particular was appreciated for its low thickness and weight.
“Thanks to its clean lines, sustainability and timeless modernity, it enabled us to fully satisfy our client’s needs and wishes,” concluded Tonino Vicari.