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Tchefuncte River House

A riverfront residence that uses grading, structure, and sequence to meet flood elevation while being experienced at ground level—organized for gathering and aligned with the surrounding landscape.

Category Living
New Build

Size 4,500 SF

Location St. Tammany

Year In Progress

Opportunity

The site sits along the Tchefuncte River within a regulated floodplain, requiring the house to be elevated. The client sought a modern residence designed for hosting: open, social, and visually connected to the landscape, without the experience of climbing into it or occupying a structure set above the ground.

Strategy

The design treats elevation as an experiential problem rather than a formal one. Site grading, a circular drive, and a constructed iris bog extend the approach, allowing the house to be encountered at eye level. A formal bridge entry and direct garage access create dual arrival sequences—ceremonial and efficient—while maintaining continuity with the ground plane.

The house is organized into three segments aligned to the river, cypress forest, and stormwater bog. Four cast-in-place concrete cores anchor the structure, while lighter volumes extend on piles to maintain net-zero fill and preserve drainage patterns. Glazing, sectional variation, and hinged geometries expand views and maintain continuous visual connection to the landscape.

Outcome

The strategically elevated house results in an arrival that is gradual. Movement is continuous, and the primary living spaces are visually open to incredible view of the Tchefuncte River. The result is a residence designed for gathering: open to the landscape, structured for hosting, and calibrated to its riverfront setting.


Awards

The Team

James Rennert

Brady Barclay

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