Yum Yum Farm

Set amidst corn and soybean fields near Iowa City, Iowa, this small house evokes traditional farms while giving them a modern twist. The homeowners, involved in and passionate about organic farming, were looking for architects that could meld modern design with their traditional way of life. Their search led them all the way from Iowa to the Seattle office of DeForest Architects.

Familiar Form - Freshened

The exterior is reminiscent of a traditional farmhouse, but the interior is modernized with an open floor plan and a strong connection between indoors and out. The compact square footage is organized efficiently, with overlapping spaces that make the house feel bigger and more flexible while making the most out of every corner.

Mix of Old and New

The interior features fir flooring salvaged from an Amish farmhouse, deep red plywood panels normally used for concrete formwork and recycled plumbing fixtures, paired with modern furniture from Bludot and Design Within Reach. Familiar materials from the rural landscape are used in unexpected ways, like corrugated steel in the shower and the loft ladder, made out of leftover pieces of cabinet plywood, steel and salvaged flooring.

Work at a Distance

In order to keep travel costs down, we met in person just a couple of times and used computer models to communicate ideas in three dimensions. A great local contractor with quiet attention to detail and a willingness to try new things was invaluable in making the project go smoothly.