by Darcie Duranceau | photos by Sarah Shields Photography and 360 Tour Designs | design boards courtesy of Hilari Goris Designs
ARCHITECTURE’S VANISHING THRESHOLD
A PRESERVATION OF PLACE
Like the quiet equestrian, perched atop a sleek, athletic mount while listening to a soft breeze tickling the foliage of the surrounding trees, it’s easy to be struck by the profound environment and expectations beneath the canopy of the 260-acre legacy estate known as Wild Air Zionsville. The former equestrian sanctuary of the Johnson family carries a “quiet gravity” which dictates that the architecture act as a bridge between its peaceful heritage and the buzz of modern life.
On this historic soil, Joe Garcia is deploying his handpicked team, many of whom have worked alongside him for over a decade, to deliver two distinct interpretations of what it means to truly live within the natural landscape of Zionsville: one modern home, and one traditional.
ONE VISION, TWO PERSONALITIES
The Modern Perimeter Home
Where oversized brick meets smooth, stark-white stucco, punctuated by deep charcoal gables that cut a sharp profile against the Indiana sky, G&G explores the beauty of restraint. Each step toward this pristine home creates a rhythmic play of light and shadow on its monotone color palette and palatial windows.
“In the modern home, we’re opting for thin trim casing,” says lead designer Hilari Goris of Hilari Goris Designs. She wanted the wooded tree line of Wild Air to become part of the indoor space. By removing the visual noise of casing and molding, the boundary between the interior and the forest essentially vanishes.
To prevent minimalism from pulling away from the organic nature of the neighborhood, Goris introduced natural stone with black and brown veins, reminiscent of the nearby winding paths, and gold accents that capture the light, providing an unmistakable warmth to the space. The bathrooms are tiled in natural tones—soft whites like sandstone meet deep, rich mahogany that evokes memories of sunsets on a summer evening.
The Traditional Alley Home
A short walk away, the traditional alley home feels like nature’s welcoming embrace. At first glance, the dark green siding, white brick, stone facade, and solid wood columns appear to be an extension of the landscape. It is easy to imagine sipping a cup of coffee on the front steps of this home, on a cool morning, as the sun rises over the neighborhood. This home is undoubtedly about the return of the layered comfort of tradition.
“The classic elements are coming back,” says Goris of the home on Lot 22. “For this home, we are leaning into the ‘layered’ feel—arched doorways, curves, and intricate wood paneling.” According to Goris, the home features sophisticated color drenching to play with scale. In the kitchen, wainscotting and an apron sink meet beveled corners and an expensive wooden arch to conjure memories of Grandma’s homemade cookies.
THE SURPRISING COMMONALITIES: THE G&G BLUEPRINT
While the aesthetics of these two homes sit in opposition, they share a few similarities. Both are tied to a respect for the legacy of the Johnson family land, and a respect for the everyday needs of homeowners today.
An Invitation: The Legacy of the Land
While the two residences speak in different architectural dialects, they are unified by a singular obsession: the dissolution of the wall. After a busy day, either homeowner can look forward to look forward to modern amenities, tall ceilings, and picture windows opening up to the raw beauty of the surrounding landscape. To be home is to invite nature to sit at the dinner table.
For Guests and Gourmands: The Prep Kitchen
The peace found on the grounds of Wild Air has shaped the architectural choices of these homes, with concerted efforts to preserve the serenity. Take, for instance, the scullery kitchens found within the walls of both G&G homes. Goris says, “I think my favorite areas to do, being a mom of two kids, are these kitchens and back pantries… I can’t help thinking how a family would come in and use them.”
She opted for a microwave and oven combo unit in both homes’ pantries, along with full-sized sinks, painted cabinets, and plenty of shelving to hide away kitchen gadgets.
Garcia describes the “dirty kitchen” as a “best kept secret.”
Friends and family can enjoy a meal together, while the mess remains invisible to guests. There is no push to get up and clean. The pantry door, as Goris says, can be used to shut out the stress, so the group can move from dinner at the oversized kitchen island to after-dinner cocktails at the wet bar in the basement.
The G&G Standard: Quality Behind the Walls
It’s not just what is seen at first glance that makes these homes feel at home in their surroundings. Much like the complex, unseen root systems that sustain the thirty acres of old-growth forest nearby, the true soul of the home exists in the “invisible architecture” behind the walls. It is felt in the silent, peaceful ambience—comfort achieved through a high-performance building envelope that acts as a thermal shield against the seasons; a precisely sized HVAC system that ensures optimal temperature and humidity; and adjustable lighting throughout. Goris has eliminated dark corners through soft, warm lighting fixtures of various shapes and sizes—feminine, curved sconces belted in gold; thin, pulled, antique bronze covered by classic lamp shades; dropping sconces covered by flowing gold metal ellipses.
All of this so, as the day winds down at Wild Air, the comfort and connection to the land don’t fade, but simply shift. The massive windows that spend their days inviting sunlight and forest inside eventually yield to the interior’s carefully engineered glow. And still, even as this soft light fills the space, the homeowner can appreciate the beauty of star-filled skies above.
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15530 Shining Spring Drive
Westfield, Indiana 46074
