Modern Ranch Architecture

Tom Ford Cerro Pelon Ranch

The 20,662 acre ranch for Tom Ford was designed by renowned architect, Tadao Ando. It has 2 private residences, 4 staff residences, 2 private guest residences, a tennis court, an airstrip, a horse barn, and a film set that has been used for movies such as Silverado, Thor, and Wild Wild West.

The Double Helix Ranch

The 3 bedroom ranch is located in a large open range and agricultural area. It is inspired by the rural farm structures of the its surroundings, with the organization of the home designed around an enclosed garden courtyard, with its walls functioning to keep out wildlife such as deers. Simple sheds radiate around the courtyard, connected with a rusted steel flat roof circulation. The house is clad in galvanized corrugated steel, and its windows mill-finished.

The Experimental Ranch

The 2360 sq ft Experimental Ranch was designed by Cliff May, the father of the ranch-house movement, as his personal home. It is often seen as an example of the evolution of ranch-style architecture. It features an open-plan space that can be divided by movable walls and cabinets. The main room contains the living area and kitchen, with a large ridge skylight that allows one to see the tree canopies above. Floor to ceiling windows also allow for expansive views to the outdoors.The house was recently restored by Marmol Radziner Architecture, re-establishing the open plan layout and preserving the integrity of the exposed wood beams and rafters.

Modern Ranch House Conversion

The brief for the house involved making the existing one more open, modern, and larger for the growing family. Although the clients had asked for a second story, the architects were able to preserve the ranch style of the house by extending the house into the rear without losing the backyard space, allowing the larger single story space to meet all the program requirements. Energy efficiency was also included into the conversion of the house, insulating the walls, floors, and ceilings, with a hydronic heating floor system.

Wairau Valley House

The ranch style housing makes its appearance in New Zealand, nestled in a landscape of vineyards, farms, and orchards. Rustic cedar wood is accented with white and board-form concrete, creating a beautiful combination of materials. 5 private pavilions come together, connected by semi-outdoor walkways and landscape that blend the indoors and outdoors. Thin, gabled roofs emulate the ranch style housing while light steel columns support a roof canopy that looks like it floats above the structural concrete elements of the house. Forms and lines within the house are carefully articulated, and the interior spaces are warm and inviting.

The Houl

The Houl is built in the style of a single story long cabin - characteristic of the contemporary ranch. It is sustainable and net-zero carbon through its high insulation, heat recovery ventilation within the home, a wind turbine, and air source heat pump. Built into a slope, the main rooms are located along the outer edge of the house, allowing one to enjoy views out across the landscape. The house construction is simple, using steel and timber frame, and walls clad in cedar.