Residential - Completed
Scenic House
Scenic House was first an exploration of renovating an existing house. Colonial in nature, the execution of the original construction was not exacting, resulting in particular asymmetries when clearly the interpretation of style should have resulted in perfect symmetry. Due to the client's sensibilities, several attempts to reconcile the existing conditions proved fruitless, until ultimately, we were asked to rethink the entire site as a new home.
We explored a new proposal re-utilizing the existing foundation as well as one from a completely original starting point. After reviewing both options closely we elected to pursue a new home on a new foundation. This allowed for a heightened relationship to the rear yard, replete with a pool for the Owner, an avid swimmer. The rear yard gently slopes to a grove of existing Live Oak trees, now more visible through the transparency we created along the rear facades of the home.
The narrative from the Owner revolved around her sensibilities toward timeless architecture. Though she wanted her home to embrace traditional components, she was very much interested in creating some contemporary elements to allow the house to at once be steeped in history and of it's current time. A long span steel beam at the rear covered terrace has a single supporting column, creating uninterrupted sitelines to the rear yard, something only contemporary strategies can accomplish. While the front façade of the house illustrates traditional divided lite casement windows, simple brick and cut stone detailing and timeless forms, the contemporary Walnut entry door hints at a slight departure from tradition. As you move into the living areas of the house, large floor to ceiling sliding glass doors provide a seamless connection to the exterior of the house.
The Owner was instrumental in the material palette and interior finishing of the project. A fantastic collaborator, together we coalesced around a shared vision to create a truly unique home.
We explored a new proposal re-utilizing the existing foundation as well as one from a completely original starting point. After reviewing both options closely we elected to pursue a new home on a new foundation. This allowed for a heightened relationship to the rear yard, replete with a pool for the Owner, an avid swimmer. The rear yard gently slopes to a grove of existing Live Oak trees, now more visible through the transparency we created along the rear facades of the home.
The narrative from the Owner revolved around her sensibilities toward timeless architecture. Though she wanted her home to embrace traditional components, she was very much interested in creating some contemporary elements to allow the house to at once be steeped in history and of it's current time. A long span steel beam at the rear covered terrace has a single supporting column, creating uninterrupted sitelines to the rear yard, something only contemporary strategies can accomplish. While the front façade of the house illustrates traditional divided lite casement windows, simple brick and cut stone detailing and timeless forms, the contemporary Walnut entry door hints at a slight departure from tradition. As you move into the living areas of the house, large floor to ceiling sliding glass doors provide a seamless connection to the exterior of the house.
The Owner was instrumental in the material palette and interior finishing of the project. A fantastic collaborator, together we coalesced around a shared vision to create a truly unique home.
