Butternut Residence

by House + House Architects

In a neighborhood of traditional houses, this 8,000 square foot contemporary home is set deep into its lot with its garage turned at 90 degrees to the street to provide privacy and a choreographed arrival through a gracious front garden, enveloping this home in an aura of seclusion. Strong geometric forms interlocked with thick walls and broad bands of gridded windows are softened by gently vaulted roofs and an elegant palette of materials. Wide slate steps lead to a mahogany entry door set within a deep frame, bisecting the main gallery and continuing through to a swath of luminous grass. Standing seam roofing in a metallic champagne color complements muted shades of taupe stucco.

A 22-foot high sky-lit gallery floods this home with natural light, ending in framed views to flaming amber trees, allowing large windows to comfortably face neighboring homes without window coverings. The living room and library are wrapped in thick, sculpted walls with a zig zag sweep of glass and mahogany pillars, opening to distant views. The formal dining room is accessible yet set apart, with broad views toward front and rear gardens.

A secondary gallery links the garage and rear entry with the kitchen and family room. The sculpted stairway leads to the bedrooms with a bridge flying through the double high, sky lit spaces to the master suite. High vaulted ceilings embrace each sleeping area, clerestory windows adding sparkling light throughout the day.