The Unity Residence: Narrative-Driven Modern Farmhouse
Project Snapshot
Location: Latrobe, Pennsylvania (Unity Township)
Site Context: Constrained / Irregular Lot Geometry
Scale: 2,367 SF Total Conditioned Living Space
First Floor: 1,567 SF
Second Floor: 800 SF
Design Strategy: "Additive Massing" / Site-Responsive Geometry
Key Amenities: Wraparound Porch, Hidden Butler's Pantry, Two-Way Indoor/Outdoor Fireplace
Architect: David Stumpf Architecture (David Stumpf, AIA)
Builder: Avignon Homes
Project Narrative
The "Additive Massing" Concept
The clients approached David Stumpf Architecture with a desire to escape the "flat" feeling of suburban tract housing. They wanted a home with immediate character and weight. Our solution was a design rooted in the concept of Additive Massing—the architectural technique of designing a structure to appear as if it has evolved over generations.
The home is not a single monolithic box; it is a collection of connected volumes that step and stretch across the site. This approach serves a dual purpose: it creates the aesthetic of a historic homestead that expanded as the family grew, and it technically solves the challenge of the constrained, narrowing lot.
Efficient Luxury & Zoning
While the home feels substantial due to its sprawling porches, the interior is a rigorously efficient 2,367 SF.
Main Level (1,567 SF): The first floor is planned for flexibility and hospitality. A formal dining room features an expanded 10-foot opening into the kitchen, supported by a luxury Butler’s Pantry with a "hidden" entry integrated directly into the cabinetry. The Master Wing is secluded on this level, offering a private retreat with direct access to the rear porch.
Upper Level (800 SF): The second floor is dedicated to the younger generation, featuring two bedrooms connected by a Jack & Jill bath and a central Loft/Playroom.
Site-Specific Engineering & Connectivity
The topography presented a unique challenge, requiring the garage to be set lower than the main residence. We turned this grade change into an architectural feature, creating a distinct mudroom transition that separates the utility zone from the living quarters.
True to the Agrarian vernacular, the home creates deep connections to the outdoors. A massive wraparound front porch evokes traditional American architecture, while at the rear, the barrier between inside and outside is dissolved by a Two-Way See-Through Fireplace, shared between the living room and the covered rear porch.
