Christian Snowden Design

09/12/2024

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03/13/2024

At 580 sq ft, this light vertical ash wood clad modern cabin has two sloped roofs meeting at a diagonal spine to form the upper roof line. Roof overhangs gradually become deeper and meeting at the end of the 6’-0” cantilevered roof spine. The screened porch attached to the front (south), has a low sloping roof positioned lower than the cabin’s main roof. This elevation difference allows for a single clerestory window at the living/dining rooms. Featuring a freestanding wood burning Malm fireplace, the triangle shaped screened porch also has 10’-0” tall wood ceilings and a concrete floor. A small exterior storage closet fits nicely at the narrowing point of the triangle; its door hidden seamlessly in the siding.

A polished concrete slab on grade is functional, durable and has radiant electric heat. Most interior walls are clad in white oak panels.

The rectangular plan has the glass entry door from the screened porch directly into the living spaces. A large full height glass window next to the glass entry door, maintains a visual connection to the screened porch. The living space utilizes a linear low window behind the couch (north) and a matching height set of bookshelves inset at the adjacent wall. The dining space has a large sliding glass door with a secondary clerestory window above. This sliding glass door leads to a future fire pit, grill and hot tub area.

The galley style kitchen and leads to the two bedrooms and a bathroom. The kitchen is fully functional, utilizing smaller appliances. An awning window aligns with the kitchen sink. Opposite the kitchen is a small bar nook, with a pop of color for the cabinet doors.

The bathroom features tile floors (heated) with floating porcelain vanity and wall mounted toilet are attached to a 4’-0” tall ledge wall continuing into the shower for shampoo storage. Within the shower is an area for potted plants. An operable full height window adjacent to the plant area looks out to a fenced tree and rock garden. Each bedroom has a queen sized bed platform of veneered plywood built-in with a deep ledge, drawers and a hanging bar. Large windows maintain a beautiful connection with nature.

04/26/2023

is in its last bit of the construction phase, as final finish details are completed. 😀

01/24/2023

We are excited to announce that Chris Snowden is the new Modern Richmond Chair for 2023.

Chris, a native of Richmond, attended SCAD for undergraduate and graduate degrees in Architecture. After graduating in 2012 he worked in Richmond on a number of projects converting warehouses to loft apartments, new construction urban apartment buildings,as well as, the Angus house a modern home in Chesterfield that was featured in 2018 on the Modern Richmond tour.

He is now owner of Christian Snowden Design focusing on modern residential, spatial residential and additions in the state of Virginia.

His favorite architect is Eero Saarinen
The Womb Chair is on the top of his list of modern chairs and his favorite modern artist is Joan Miro

10/28/2022

👀 at the schedule for .

NOVEMBER: The YWCA Tour has tickets for sale now! A wonderful update by to an already cool historic building.

DECEMBER: The Kitchens at Reynolds designed by . Local firm .qe is the architect of record. A stunning contemporary building situated in the historic east end.

JANUARY: The Haymes Residence was designed by yours truly with interior design by . Come out and see this 1600 sq ft addition and wish me a happy birthday as well!

FEBRUARY: The 2200 At Cary is an urban infill project by . The 2200 won a golden hammer award last night for Best New Construction ‘Medium’!!

Look forward to seeing new and old faces at these events. 🤙🏻

09/12/2022

is 2 weeks away from move in day! has done an amazing job on this project from beginning to end. I can’t wait to show off the inside of this project! Also the residence will be featured on the tour in January!

I love a nice night shot! 😀

07/24/2022

The 3,350 square foot is a new construction home to be built on an undeveloped site just off Cary Street Road near the Country Club of Virginia. The site is bound to the south by +/- 350’-0” of the old Kanawah Canal that runs parallel to the James River. The west end of the site features large exposed granite boulders (think Maymont waterfall) as well as large sections of granite below the upper layers of dirt. The topography drops 30’-0” from top to bottom and requires this 2 story Mid-Century inspired residence to sit into the earth, with a subterranean lower level walking out to the pool terrace.

The house is set back from the street +/-130’-0” and as many trees as possible are to remain standing as a buffer. The Mid-Century Modern styling incorporates large glass windows/doors, exposed dark beams supporting deep cantilevered ‘flat roof' overhangs, a large brick chimney and dark vertical wood siding. The ‘flat roof’ roof facia lines are clad in black metal to create a clear and sprawling visual horizontality.

A new driveway is carved out of the site, and curving retaining walls lead you to the main entrance, a circle car park area, a 3 car garage and walled exterior storage for kayaks and canoes. The entrance of the residence features a tree courtyard and a covered walkway leading to a large glass pivot door with a direct line of sight through the house.

A large exterior covered deck is in line with the living room at the East/ street elevation. A grouping of vertical spaced wood 2x6s further maintain privacy, while allowing light to enter from the east. The covered deck has a 180 degree view of the pool below and the canal beyond. Existing trees are also maintained at this location, to give the feeling of being within the treetops.

The pool area is accessed by large sliding glass doors from the lower level recreation room. Adjacent to the doors is a covered pool hang space below the deck above and utilizes a spiral staircase to connect the two spaces. An outdoor shower is situated between a bedroom and the large rectangular chimney footprint.