Aurell Garcia Architects.

Searching the Great Western Catskills for the house that met our needs, we came up empty. As beautiful as Greek Revival farmhouses are, stairs - and major renovations - are not in our future. While at an artist residency in Wyoming, working in a long spacious studio, it occured to me that by adding a living space my wife and I would have everything we need. So we decided to purchase land and build on a Catskills hillside meadow with valley views. Having sketched out a rough floor plan I called Walter Aurell to turn two dimensions into three. I couldn’t have imagined what striking design and spatial ideas he would produce. After site visits, Walter flipped my sketch and re-oriented the house placement for maximum solar gain and better valley views. Three equal size modules of living/dining, studio and an open interior bed/bath/storage space emerged surrouded by two hallways whose sense of flow suggest - I’m no expert - a fourth dimension. The roof design has become a local icon, allowing the north hall the soaring height of a chapel while the south hall tapers, its roof line extending well beyond the walls to shelter a deck/walkway. A curtain of sliders wraps around two sides, offset by corrugated metal sheathing, metal roof, a sturdy nod to the ag buildings dotting the landscape. Collaborative, smart and experienced, Walter was a pleasure to work with. Our house/studio is a constant joy to live and work in. Visual pleasure, looking out and within.

After having sustained extensive damage to my century old home following a fire in February 2020, I chose CPLA Architects to assist me with the renovation. From the outset, Walter and Margaret demonstrated the highest degree of professionalism and knowledge, and helped guide me with detailed plans and excellent suggestions from start to finish. What was obviously a harrowing experience was made significantly less traumatic with their help. They were extremely easy to work with, and always available. I recommend them without reservation if you are in need of highly experienced architects to help bring warmth and character to the remodeling of your dream home.

The visionary architects at CPLA and their partners (in construction, landscape architecture, and more) completely redesigned our sunny downstairs music room and octagonal dining room with looks out into the woods around our house. Our home was originally built in 1765, and the "modern" edition reflects the poetry of the original house but opens the space up in ways we could never have imagined. Walter Aurrell worked closely with us to understand how we wished to live, and came back with stunning ideas. Ultimately the spaces he created in harmony with our original ancient abode were featured in three high end interior design magazines - and those images continue to inspire people, as we continued to be inspired by the beautiful rooms that only become more comfortable and calm with every passing year. Only CPLA could have collaborated with us so warmly, and could build the reality that for us is a home we will never leave!