Gable House

Knop Killeen Architects

Recognitions: AIA Iowa 2025 Design Awards

Project Description

This custom single family home is located on a heavily wooded 6.5 acre lot south of Des Moines. The siting of the home leverages the natural rolling topography and dense tree cover to maximize both views & privacy and integrate the architecture within the landscape. The overall site strategy organizes the program into two simple gable forms, arranged along a primary and secondary axis. The primary axis extends from the driveway approach through the entry and main living spaces, culminating in a framed view of a large pond in the distance. The bedroom spaces are then aligned along the secondary (perpendicular) axis where the surrounding trees provide natural privacy and a calming backdrop. The main entrance to the home is located at the intersection of these two axes, and is articulated as a glass link connecting the two gable forms. This transitional space serves as both a threshold and a moment of pause, offering glimpses of the landscape in multiple directions. The elongated gable forms reference traditional Iowa agricultural structures and serve to ground the design in local heritage while expressing modern refinement. The forms are clad in natural durable materials that harmonize with the wooded setting, while large windows and carefully placed openings ensure abundant daylight and strong indoor-outdoor connections. The result is a home that feels both grounded in its site and elevated by its relationship to the surrounding landscape.