Located on Lake Tillery at the convergence of the Yadkin, Pee Dee, and Uwharrie Rivers, the Morrow Mountain State Park Boathouse was designed for the North Carolina Division of Parks & Recreation as a dedicated launch point for rowboats and canoes. The 1,200-square-foot facility thoughtfully blends architecture with the park’s rich cultural and ecological heritage.
To preserve the site’s archaeological significance, the new boathouse was constructed on the footprint of its predecessor. Existing rhyolite stone—originally quarried within the park and salvaged from older structures—was reused and juxtaposed with a new glulam structural system, creating a layered sense of history and material contrast. These elements converge beneath a standing seam metal roof, sheltering the boat rental shop, launch zone, and storage areas within a single open-air space.
Cypress screen-walls cantilever from the cast-in-place concrete foundation, guiding sightlines to the lake and subtly delineating program areas. Public amenities, including a rental office and bathhouse facilities, are located along the upper edge of the riverbank. The transition from land to water is emphasized by concrete retaining walls and marked by a sliding wood door that leads to the vertical circulation spine. From there, visitors access the lower dock level via an overhanging ramp or a set of steps descending directly to the water.
Drawing inspiration from the park’s natural beauty and historic context, the boathouse creates a sculpted, sensory experience—one that celebrates the threshold between land and lake.
