Set along a quiet bend of the Cumberland River, this Tennessee estate was envisioned as a truly multifunctional retreat. For a pair of Nashville-based business owners, they imagined a home for lively family gatherings, quiet relaxation, and essential company meetings and events.
Designed by Manuel Zeitlin Architects, the estate is an architecturally bold, multifunctional estate that merges contemporary home design, hospitality, and the natural beauty of the Cumberland River. The result is a stunning contemporary abode with multifunctional living spaces, modern comforts, and flexible opening glass doors that extend living to the outdoors, no matter the occasion.
Contemporary Home Design for Living and Entertaining with Opening Glass Doors
Aptly coined the River House by the architects, the abode sits on a lush 9-acre waterside lot with optimal landscape views.
“The owners often entertain family, friends, and business associates,” says architect Mark Bixler. “They wanted a place they could do so easily, without feeling like the house is overwhelming when it is just the immediate family at home.”
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by a striking staircase made of precast concrete and steel that leads to the front entrance. The exterior features charred shou sugi ban siding, standing seam metal accents, and limestone pavers to seamlessly merge the home with its natural surroundings.
Elevated Contemporary Home Design
Building within the 100-year floodplain presented an immediate design challenge. Instead of the required 4 feet, the architects elevated the home’s first floor a full 11 feet above the flood line. The result is a dynamic lower level with a “hammock zone” shaded by the structure above, along with a fire pit, seating areas, and a private dock with quick access to the river.
The house is separated into three functional wings. The south side houses the family wing, with private bedrooms and cozy retreats for day-to-day living. To the north, a guest wing with 14 private rooms, including a 12-person bunk room, offers accommodations for visiting clients, extended family, or friends. Connecting the two wings is a light-filled, central great room with double-height ceilings and dynamic opening glass doors.
Inviting Interiors Create Cozy, Welcoming Spaces
The interior design program prioritizes a blend of comfortable gathering spaces with a lively color palette that invites conversation. Designed by Hannah Crowell Design Studio, the home features statement-making pieces, from bright yellow velvet sofas to brightly colored accent walls.
Built-in shelving filled with sculpture-like trinkets, curated galleries, and even the Pac-Man-themed backsplash in the game room make each space feel playful and dynamic. In the great room, multiple seating areas are arranged throughout the expansive floor plan, each with its own distinct design story. Meanwhile, expansive windows and opening glass doors complement the vibrant interiors with nature views, daylight, and a dynamic visual flow.
A Great Room for Gatherings, Relaxation, and Everything in Between
From the start, the vision centered around a 3,000-square-foot, multifunctional great room that could effortlessly adapt into a space for everyday living and entertaining.
“The great room was the primary organizing volume,” says Bixler. “It needed to hold 120 people for dinner or a presentation, function as a lobby space, and provide views of the river.”
Framed by 24-foot double-height ceilings and a wall of windows, the gathering space features minimal concrete floors with multiple steel beams that add visual interest and an aura of industrial architecture. Two 10-foot-tall cero by NanaWall minimal sliding glass walls slide open to the outdoor living areas, with transformative 22-foot-wide openings that seamlessly integrate into the striking glass façade. With thin, barely-there frames and smooth, easy operation, the glass walls offer uninterrupted views and seamless connectivity.
Glass Walls That Open the Home to the River and Beyond
True to contemporary home design, the estate's expansive windows and opening glass doors offer perfectly framed views and bring nature into the daily rhythm of life. Upstairs, a glass-wrapped game room, complete with a golf simulator and putting green, offers 360-degree views from both ends of the home. In the dining area, a NanaWall Generation 4 folding glass door, with the thinnest frames in the industry, opens wide to the outdoors to create an alluring al fresco dining destination.
The 10-foot-tall bifold door works in tandem with the two minimal sliding glass walls to deliver dynamic openings that, when closed, perfectly complement the rest of the home’s sleek lines while maintaining a clean, uninterrupted façade. The panels retract into a minimal stack, allowing for full use of the opening and enhancing the functionality of the dining room.
“The design of the operable façade was to feel clean and simple,” says Bixler. “It wasn’t supposed to scream that it could open—but when it does, it transforms the entire space.”
Entertaining with a View
Creating an impressive 44-foot-wide opening, the cero® minimal sliding glass walls connect the great room to a spacious Kebony deck and outdoor entertaining areas. The deck connects to a full outdoor kitchen, a dining area, and the 1,800 SF pool below—with the Cumberland River just a few steps behind.
Whether it's a family BBQ or a formal dinner, the seamless transition between indoors and out makes this home ideal for entertaining in every season.
“We wanted a seamless interior-exterior experience,” says Bixler. “NanaWall’s Cero system was a perfect match. The operable panels are gorgeous when static, and mind-blowing when they operate.”
Energy Efficiency, Comfort, and Conservation
Sustainability played a central role in the home’s design, with features that prioritize both energy efficiency and year-round comfort. The estate’s multi-volume layout allows the homeowners to shut down unused wings when they’re not needed, helping to reduce energy use without affecting day-to-day living. Ample natural light and cross ventilation further support passive climate control throughout the home.
To enhance thermal performance, the home called for multi-glazed windows that guaranteed optimal comfort. The NanaWall opening glass doors feature double-glazed panels that contribute to insulation while enhancing views and ventilation. Nearly 10,000 square feet of roof space is also fitted with solar panels, helping to offset the home’s energy needs, a growing trend amidst contemporary home design and modern living.
Final Thoughts
The River House is a clear example of thoughtful design that balances architecture, functionality, and everyday livability. Each space was planned with intention, allowing the home to shift easily between private family life and larger business or family gatherings. NanaWall opening glass doors play a central role in that flexibility, creating smooth transitions to the outdoors while maintaining comfort and energy performance. Recognized at the 2024 NanaAwards, the home reflects a well-executed vision for contemporary home design and multifunctional living that redefines what it means to live, work, and play with the comforts of home.
See how NanaWall opening glass doors elevate riverfront living and explore more inspiring transformations in our project gallery!
