Towerfield sits on the northeastern edge of the 800-acre Ardrossan estate, among the last grand estates of Philadelphia’s “Main Line” and home to the Montgomery Scott family. The project is named for the Edwardian stone water tower located at Ardrossan and the fields where the Montgomery Scott family landed their pioneering aircraft among prized Ayrshire cattle.

Designed in the Pennsylvania farmhouse vernacular, Towerfield is a nod to the gentleman-farmer lineage of the Montgomery Scotts. The reclaimed field stone exterior with cedar roof, clapboard siding and carefully proportioned windows transitions from an “early” core to an Arts and Crafts wing with larger windows and more playful forms. Designed for a family with young adult children coming and going, plus a practicing painter with an expanding art collection, the plan was distilled into two parts: an informal Kitchen / Dining / Living space as the heart of family living, surrounded by support functions, wide open to the Porch and the distant views; and the formal Gallery Sitting Room open to the Front Entry with Home Office tucked into the farthest corner of the plan. The millwork, materials and details refine conventional forms to express 18th century themes with contemporary interpretations.

In addition to five bedroom suites there is a bright, north-facing painting studio and basement recreation room with long views. The covered porch links the pool and open pool house—all sited to take full advantage of the incredible vista of the historic estate landscape but sheltered from view and weather.