Michael Moran/OTTO photography. The objective of this award-winning gut renovation was to create a spatially dynamic, light-filled, and energy-efficient home with a strong connection to Long Island Sound. The design strategy is straightforward: a gabled roof covers a central “spine” corridor that terminates with cathedral ceilinged spaces at both ends. The relocated approach and entry deposit visitors into the front hall with its curvilinear, cantilevered stair. A two-story, windowed family gathering space lies ahead – a straight shot to the water beyond. The design challenge was to utilize the existing house footprint and structure, while raising the top of foundation walls to exceed new flood regulations, reconfiguring the spatial organization, and using innovative materials to produce a tight thermal envelope and contemporary yet contextually appropriate facades.

The Evening Sky Residence is a vineyard home in the foothills of McMinnville, Oregon. The house is placed in a natural clearing at the vineyard’s highest point, sited to overlook the Willamette Valley to the East and the Coastal Mountain Range to the West. The architecture’s linearity, contextualized materials, and indoor-outdoor living create a place that is inviting and timeless. Interiors promote a warm minimalism, with elevated finishes and tailored moments responding to the clients’ vision. Views from the residence connect those who reside here with their vines and the surrounding landscape, composing a daily life that is deeply intertwined with the working vineyard and Oregon wine country.

Rivington Street Building is a multi-family residential building in New York City that was designed, developed and constructed from the ground up by Paul A. Castrucci, Architect. In order to successfully take on the roles of developer and contractor, Castrucci utilized his ability to balance budget, schedule and constructability. The building is a part of its community and its facade responds to the human and contextual scale. The base of the building utilizes brick, tying it into the surrounding neighborhood. The top floors of the building break from the contextual base in form and material. The corrugated metal saw tooth roofline is a response to the environment, bringing in soft, northern light while providing roof area for a Photovoltaic array of solar panels. The top floor is connected to a roof garden filled with native plants. The result is a light-filled, dynamic space that is shaped by its relationship to daylight and connections to the exterior. Constructed in 2003, Rivington Street Building is an example of the firm’s energy efficient design that utilizes sustainable methods such as a high-performance envelope, a solar Photovoltaic (PV) array and rainwater collection/grey water system.

The start of a new home in Spring Lake, NJ. Foundations set and wrapped with waterproofing in the event of high ground water.
Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal three-story wood exterior home remodel in New York with a shingle roof

Example of a classic kitchen design in Milwaukee

In a rural stretch of East Hampton not far from the beach, the client presented a program for this summer home that called for open, casual entertaining and an extension of interior living spaces to the outdoors -- a counterpoint to his boxy Upper West Side pre-war apartment. We looked to local agrarian building forms and materials, as well as the Modernist tradition of the Hamptons, to develop a contextual vernacular appropriate to the quaint and peaceful property.

This 5,000 SF design/build landmark townhouse includes a rarely approved 4 story rear addition in a Landmark Preservation district. The carefully designed rear façade complements the original Italianate style of this Clinton Hill Historic District townhouse by using true brick arches, black framed windows, and historic brick. Large, contextual openings grace the rear of this townhouse, creating an opportunity for an abundance of light and connection between the expansive kitchen/dining room and the well appointed garden. The 55’ deep parlor floor provides plenty of room for entertaining and while leaving plenty of room for 5 bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms throughout. Extensive underpinning created even more living space in a full height cellar.

Husband's Closet disguised as a Hallway Photo: Susan Teare
Transitional closet photo in Burlington

Karen Melvin
Example of a trendy gender-neutral carpeted dressing room design in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets and medium tone wood cabinets

Believed to be the oldest building in Excelsior Minnesota, this humble brick structure has transformed, been moved, and housed countless people over its 162 years. Affectionately known as ‘The Beehive’, it was built in 1857 and began as the original Excelsior schoolhouse. It was moved to its’ current location in the 1880’s and became a 23-room dormitory for Northwestern Christian College, followed by a boarding house, and finally apartments (in addition to the rumors of more sordid activities in the early 20th century!). After being in the same family for several decades, the owner wanted to transform the building one more time to make it her own home. Citydeskstudio worked closely with her and the Excelsior Historic Preservation Commission on the design. She now occupies the main floor, with additional units above and below for rental and for family. The design celebrates the stout and blocky character of the building with a new modern expansion off the back. There, the building steps and expands outwards in glassy boxes of charred cedar. Inside, the original structure was repaired and uncovered where possible, and previous poorly done modifications were corrected. The center piece of this more open and light-filled home is a rich modern kitchen in walnut, travertine, and steel. The old character remains ever present and is essential to the spirit of The Beehive’s latest transformation. This multigenerational home’s design honors the legacy of the property, marrying the original Excelsior schoolhouse with a beautiful, modern, contextually-sensitive remodel and addition. Project Team: Ben Awes, AIA, Principal-In-Charge Chris Bach Nate Dodge

Free Float is a pool house that continues UP's obsession with contextual contradiction. Located on a three acre estate in Sands Point NY, the modern pool house is juxtaposed against the existing traditional home. Using structural gymnastics, a column-free, simple shading area was created to protect occupants from the summer sun while still allowing the structure to feel light and open, maintaining views of the Long Island Sound and surrounding beaches. Photography : Harriet Andronikides

Example of an urban staircase design in Philadelphia

Rivington Street Building is a multi-family residential building in New York City that was designed, developed and constructed from the ground up by Paul A. Castrucci, Architect. In order to successfully take on the roles of developer and contractor, Castrucci utilized his ability to balance budget, schedule and constructability. The building is a part of its community and its facade responds to the human and contextual scale. The base of the building utilizes brick, tying it into the surrounding neighborhood. The top floors of the building break from the contextual base in form and material. The corrugated metal saw tooth roofline is a response to the environment, bringing in soft, northern light while providing roof area for a Photovoltaic array of solar panels. The top floor is connected to a roof garden filled with native plants. The result is a light-filled, dynamic space that is shaped by its relationship to daylight and connections to the exterior. Constructed in 2003, Rivington Street Building is an example of the firm’s energy efficient design that utilizes sustainable methods such as a high-performance envelope, a solar Photovoltaic (PV) array and rainwater collection/grey water system.

Located in historic Brooklyn, these carriage houses are thoughtfully designed to be contextually appropriate among century old brick townhouses. A large open floor plan living, dining and kitchen open directly to a private garden with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors, and the ultimate New York City luxury, an adjacent parking space. With an eye to both the present and the past, in the kitchen top of the line stainless steel Liebherr, Bertazzoni, and Bosch kitchen appliances meet solid marble slab counters and backsplash, natural finish white oak floors, Blanco Cerana apron fireclay sink, custom shaker style gray lacquered and glass front cabinetry.

Inspiration for a cottage kitchen remodel in Nashville

This house is seamlessly integrated into the rural context of the neighborhood with beautiful 100 year old trees and the laid back White Rock Lake attitude. The house is designed to have a strong connection with the outdoors; the lake only a two-minute walk away. This large family home is extremely successful as a friendly, contextual neighbor to the surrounding cottage homes that average at 1,300 SF each. ©Shoot2Sell Photography

Urban bathroom photo in Philadelphia

Inspiration for an industrial kitchen remodel in Philadelphia

Rivington Street Building is a multi-family residential building in New York City that was designed, developed and constructed from the ground up by Paul A. Castrucci, Architect. In order to successfully take on the roles of developer and contractor, Castrucci utilized his ability to balance budget, schedule and constructability. The building is a part of its community and its facade responds to the human and contextual scale. The base of the building utilizes brick, tying it into the surrounding neighborhood. The top floors of the building break from the contextual base in form and material. The corrugated metal saw tooth roofline is a response to the environment, bringing in soft, northern light while providing roof area for a Photovoltaic array of solar panels. The top floor is connected to a roof garden filled with native plants. The result is a light-filled, dynamic space that is shaped by its relationship to daylight and connections to the exterior. Constructed in 2003, Rivington Street Building is an example of the firm’s energy efficient design that utilizes sustainable methods such as a high-performance envelope, a solar Photovoltaic (PV) array and rainwater collection/grey water system.