Rooted in Nature: Sustainable Design at Southall Farm & Inn

At 906 Studio Architecture + Interiors, meaningful design begins with a deep respect for place. That philosophy guided our work on Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin, Tennessee – a hospitality destination created to feel rooted in its natural surroundings.

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Completed in late 2022, Southall Farm & Inn is a 325-acre luxury farm including an inn, spa, event center, restaurant, and advanced working agricultural systems. Envisioned as an evolution of traditional Southern hospitality, the property is a unique escape in historic Franklin, Tennessee, that salutes the agricultural heritage of the area while advancing innovative practices for a sustainable future. Set on an authentic working farm, Southall provides ample sustenance for the mind, soul, and body.

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906 Studio Architects + Interiors has the pleasure of working with the Southall team in designing the Inn & Spa, Commissary, Event Center, Cottages, and Glamping Tree Houses.

Sustainability played a central role throughout the design process, with natural exterior materials that would accentuate the temporal dimension as they age and change over time.

Key Materials

• Shou Sugi Ban wood cladding for long-lasting exterior protection
• Corten steel accents
• Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and Douglas Fir heavy timber framing celebrating structure and craftmanship
• Natural limestone headers and sills grounding the architecture in regional character
• Stained cedar detailing
• Cedar board and batten siding at the Event Center
• Standing seam metal roof for long-term performance
• Expansive doors creating seamless indoor-outdoor connection

Together, these materials allow the structures to settle into the landscape while enhancing durability and guest experience. Natural textures, regionally inspired finishes, and thoughtful building strategies reinforce Southall’s mission of immersive, nature-based wellness and hospitality.‍

As demand grows for sustainable architecture, Southall Farm & Inn stands as a model for responsible, refined design rooted in nature.

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