Master Sensitive - Photos & Ideas

When a world class sailing champion approached us to design a Newport home for his family, with lodging for his sailing crew, we set out to create a clean, light-filled modern home that would integrate with the natural surroundings of the waterfront property, and respect the character of the historic district. Our approach was to make the marine landscape an integral feature throughout the home. One hundred eighty degree views of the ocean from the top floors are the result of the pinwheel massing. The home is designed as an extension of the curvilinear approach to the property through the woods and reflects the gentle undulating waterline of the adjacent saltwater marsh. Floodplain regulations dictated that the primary occupied spaces be located significantly above grade; accordingly, we designed the first and second floors on a stone “plinth” above a walk-out basement with ample storage for sailing equipment. The curved stone base slopes to grade and houses the shallow entry stair, while the same stone clads the interior’s vertical core to the roof, along which the wood, glass and stainless steel stair ascends to the upper level. One critical programmatic requirement was enough sleeping space for the sailing crew, and informal party spaces for the end of race-day gatherings. The private master suite is situated on one side of the public central volume, giving the homeowners views of approaching visitors. A “bedroom bar,” designed to accommodate a full house of guests, emerges from the other side of the central volume, and serves as a backdrop for the infinity pool and the cove beyond. Also essential to the design process was ecological sensitivity and stewardship. The wetlands of the adjacent saltwater marsh were designed to be restored; an extensive geo-thermal heating and cooling system was implemented; low carbon footprint materials and permeable surfaces were used where possible. Native and non-invasive plant species were utilized in the landscape. The abundance of windows and glass railings maximize views of the landscape, and, in deference to the adjacent bird sanctuary, bird-friendly glazing was used throughout. Photo: Michael Moran/OTTO Photography

Truro Mid- Century Renovation

Hammer Architects

The project consists of a renovation and additions to the Saas Residence designed by Charles Zehnder in 1963. The house was built by Albert and Bob Rose for a cost of fourteen thousand dollars. The living room on the West side was modified and expanded in 1976. When built, the main house was intended only for summer occupancy. It was uninsulated, had single glazed windows and no heating or ventilation systems. There was no laundry facility and had a small kitchen and bathrooms. In order to ensure the building’s survival well into the future and provide modern amenities, a plan was developed to lift the original house and place it on a permanent concrete foundation. Once stabilized and preserved, the kitchen and master bedroom were extended slightly at each end. These new additions contain a mechanical room, laundry room, closet and Owners’ bath and allowed the enclosing envelope to meet the State energy code. All proposed changes have been designed with sensitivity to and respect for the original architecture. The existing house was only 1670 square feet in area; the area of the final design is a modest 2204 square feet. The resulting building maintains the appearance from the road of a long modern shed-roofed rectangle. The new section replacing the later living room addition is at the rear of the house and offers expansive views of the South Truro landscape and Cape Cod Bay.

Field House

Spratley & Partners

A new-build, replacement dwelling in a sensitive green belt location, designed to take advantage of the countryside setting and views. By capitalising on volume increases to the existing dwelling through a series of incremental Permitted Development schemes, the home better suits its site and context. By raising a previously ground bearing floor area into a cantilever it can now encapsulate long ranging views from the master bedroom. To create a contemporary rural aesthetic the materials include a zinc roof, pre-weathered burnt timber cladding and brick. Landscaping has been designed by renowned British Garden Designer Andy Sturgeon who created three distinct gardens: a wild flower walk to the pool, a formal crescent-shaped striped lawn and south-facing gravel garden. The garden takes advantage of views across the Thames valley to Hedsor House and Cliveden, as a result of it being elevated and levelled with excavation material from the basement.

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