Nestled in Hillsborough, North Carolina’s wooded landscape, the Steeplechase House is a striking example of how contemporary residential architecture can balance sustainability, luxury, and a strong connection to nature—using a material not traditionally associated with homes: metal. Designed by Brooks + Scarpa, the residence reflects the homeowners’ desire for a design that blends with its surroundings while remaining refined and resilient. Metal wall and roof panels were a natural choice.
A defining feature of the home is the use of ATAS black 24-gauge corrugated steel panels on both the exterior walls and roof. These panels create a unified, continuous surface that emphasizes clean, geometric lines. By employing the same metal panels for the vertical walls and steeply pitched roof, the design creates a seamless visual transition between planes, heightening the impact of the rising double gables.
Beyond aesthetics, the metal panels are central to the project’s sustainability goals. Steel is inherently durable, low-maintenance, and fully recyclable, making it a long-term solution well-suited to environmentally conscious design. With a lifespan exceeding 40 years when properly maintained, the metal roof and wall panels outperform many conventional exterior materials while reducing lifecycle environmental impacts. Their durability also ensures consistent performance under the wind, moisture, and temperature fluctuations common in the region.
The versatility of corrugated metal panels enabled the design team to integrate the building more harmoniously with its surroundings. Installed vertically, the wall panels visually extend into the gable roofs, accentuating the home’s height and echoing the vertical rhythm of the surrounding trees. Large expanses of glass are framed by the metal panels, strengthening the connection between interior spaces and the natural landscape. As Brooks + Scarpa note, the rising double gables and integrated glazing help forge a meaningful relationship between the built environment and nature.
Metal’s versatility enhances both form and function. The same panel system can be installed vertically or horizontally and used for roofs, walls, or interior applications, giving architects and builders flexible design options without sacrificing performance. In the Steeplechase House, this adaptability results in a cohesive exterior that feels deliberate, restrained, and timeless.
The Steeplechase House was recognized in ATAS’ 2024 Project of the Year competition, underscoring the growing role of metal panels in luxury residential architecture. Ultimately, the Steeplechase House shows how thoughtfully applied metal roof and wall panels can elevate residential design—delivering durability, environmental responsibility, and refined modern luxury in a single, integrated solution.
