New American Home
Design Background and Mission
The design is inspired by the early Arts and Crafts movement which began in mid-nineteenth century England. The mission of the movement was to promote authentic architecture, honest of construction and materials, and hand-made ornament. The movement was revolt to the machine mad bric-a-brac of the Industrial Revolution, and to the lack of inspiring work conditions. The movement stressed the joy of producing art and pure craft. We wish to provide a new environment for the artist and craftsman in the 21st century.
House Design
The residence is designed as a complex to buildings and hardscape features to enclose the site, which is situated at the intersection of three streets. The immediate area is becoming urbanized so there is a need for the site to gain a sense of enclosure.
The carriage house is detached from the house forming a courtyard, semi enclosed by a cloister. Exterior "rooms" are paved in broken flagstones to create the illusion of a ruined garden, complete with English boxwoods, perennials, and herbs growing out of fissures. Fountains are cisterns and wells. The stone base on the house grows out of the pavements and links the house to the landscape.
The house is comprised of 4 levels, each with distinctive functions. The site dictates a small footprint with multiple levels. The basement houses a wine cellar and will feature a home theater. Brick and stone walls and floors will be practical and dramatic.
The first floor will feature a formal Dining Room in the front of the house, a Library (which can double as an office, music room, or formal parlor), and a large Kitchen, Breakfast Area, and Gathering Room. All major rooms with exception to the Dining Room focus on the herb garden, which is a large outdoor room. The character of the rooms will vary. The Dining Room and Library will feature fine ceiling and paneling details; the Gathering Room will feature a massive brick and stone fireplace complete with forged iron fittings, and substantial beams. Large French doors lead from the Gathering Room to a large back porch.
The second floor contains the Master Suite with its volume ceiling, a secondary bedroom suite, office space, and Laundry Room, which is accessible from the Master Closet. The main stair takes on the character of a tower inside with its 3 level well. The space of the Master Suite is expanded outdoors to the upstairs porch, which overlooks the herb garden. A smaller stair leads up to the Crow's Nest and serves to separate the stair hall from the Office. The Crow's Nest is a multi use area; it can be divided into another bedroom suite or can be used as a studio.
Context of the House Plans
The New American Home 2001 will become a part of Garden Houses of the 1920's, a collection of vintage homes created by Lew Oliver and Jack Richards (as seen in the Wall Street Journal, Dec. 1999). The plan book contains houses specifically designed for new American towns and the rebuilding of older neighborhoods. Garages are de-emphasized, a return to the priority of accommodating pedestrian and neighborly activity. Architecture is diverse--Craftsman, Villa Style, Colonial Revival, Shingle Style, and Edwardian are styles shown in the book. A variety of lifestyles are provided for with a range of square footages.
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