The sloping ends create a form that emerges organically from the forest floor as a natural element of its setting. It is sited on a one acre wooded lot in Goshen, Indiana. Very few trees needed to be cut in order to site this house.
It is sided with unpainted rough sawn yellow poplar - purchased at a local sawmill. Yellow poplar, is the Indiana State Tree. After 32 years it shows no significant deterioration. Interior features include hand hewn functional posts and beams from a vintage barn, paneling from local cherry from a local sawmill and smooth natural pine reused from an area barn, and trim planed on site from local cherry. Most doors were constructed on site from cherry wood. Local materials are less costly. More labor made the cost similar to convention tract house construction at the time.
The house has four bedrooms feature sleeping lofts in two of the children's bedrooms, an entertainment room, two and a half baths, three Bartel stoneware sinks in bathrooms, Bartel countertop and splash tile, handmade foyer tile, hickory flooring in kitchen and dining rooms, carpet and cherry flooring in living room. Basement includes a large play room and a storage/mechanical room.
2004 Tulip Creek
1972 Bartel House
1993 Goshen House
