Upon completing the Danube Residence, the same client engaged us to create another modern speculative home nestled between the woods and high-rises in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. The site presented two main challenges: one, the large property backs up to a commercial district with tall buildings immediately adjacent; and two, the site is crossed by a live creek with corresponding state and city building buffers.  This created the contradictory condition of having to locate the building as far back as possible away from the creek, while shielding views to and from the tall buildings. In response, the home is organized around a private courtyard screened on the rear by a higher two-story section while preserving the natural tree canopy. Inspired by the topography and the sinuous line of the creek, the design evolved into a dynamic ribbon-like composition.  The front facade appears as a series of cascading volumes.  A grand entry foyer flows to a central atrium where form and circulation converge, establishing direct connection to the exterior courtyard and pool via monumental window walls.  An elegant kitchen and living area anchors the space, and guides movement to the exterior courtyard while also connecting to other sections of the home: garage, guest and children’s wing to one side, spacious master suite framing the courtyard on the other, and a floating stair taking you to the upper and lower levels through a three story atrium.  Above, floating across the atrium, a bridge and overlooking balcony unify the assembly. A natural material palette encapsulates the living spaces and reinforces the circulation concept. Warm hardwoods mark the direction of flow, white paint and stucco wrap curving walls and stone veneer frames indoor-outdoor transitions. The result is a modern, bright, comfortable retreat creating maximum value for its speculative developer.