The design of Branch begins with preservation. The original pitched roof house is kept as the historic anchor of the retreat, holding its familiar face from the road and honoring the memory of the Howard family. Equally important is the preservation of the trees that shape the site. Each one is kept in place, and the new architecture bends and weaves around them. The project grows not by replacing but by extending, holding on to what is already meaningful while opening outward to the river and the waterfall.

From the preserved cottage, the first extension continues the slope of the roofline, carrying it toward the water. As it flattens, the roof becomes a green terrace, both garden and gathering place, overlooking the falls. The other extensions stretch to the south, weaving carefully between trees. In their movement, they leave courtyards where trunks and canopies remain untouched. Each responds differently to the land, one framing the sound and power of the waterfall, another the calm flow of the river, another the intimacy of the courtyard. Together they form a retreat made of perspectives, each tied to the conditions of the site.

The program develops around a balance of togetherness and retreat. The preserved pitched roof structure is dedicated to shared life, bringing the living room, dining hall, and kitchen together as one continuous space. It is positioned near the extension facing the waterfall, so that family gatherings are always tied to the most dramatic view. From this center, the extensions hold private bedroom suites, each oriented toward a different outlook. Trees and courtyards fill the gaps between them, creating natural barriers of privacy while filtering light and air into the house.

Circulation is not confined indoors but often passes outside through terraces and gardens, encouraging constant connection with the landscape. The design allows large gatherings at the heart of the house while ensuring quiet places for rest at the edges. It strengthens the collective identity of the family while supporting individual retreat.

Branch is a retreat that preserves the original house and every tree while opening itself to river and waterfall. It balances shared and private life, weaving courtyards and passages that blur the boundary between indoors and outdoors.