Hayes Residence

This residence resulted from the expansion and renovation of an existing residential structure. In its previous life it was a fairly traditional two-story center hall colonial with a brick veneer front and vinyl siding. There was also a one-story projection for the garage on one side and a one-story projection at the rear for a family room. As the budget was strict for the new program the existing structure was retained and modified to accept the design changes and additional space required. The existing rear terrace and plantings were also retained.

The Owner’s requirements were for a residence that fit their lifestyle which included significant entertaining, overnight guests, as well as a parent who was going to reside with them. The best views were to the rear which overlooks undeveloped wooded land. They also had a desire to use the major spaces both for themselves as well as for guests.

It was my intent to create a cohesive architectural form that reflected the needs of the occupants without a preconceived shape; the form as a result of the desires of the occupant. As with other bespoke designs the measuring of these desires and the development of the enclosure required careful work. In this instance the desires were clear however the envelope was hampered by the existing mass of the original structure which did not meet the needs of the occupants.

The forms generated expanded the existing rectangular mass of the structure horizontally. From that expansion additional mass was added to the rear in the form of a large gathering room. Layers of alternate color siding aided in the tying together of these forms. As the spaces used for the addition were free to extend vertically outside of the original structure, they do so by creating public spaces whose interior volume reflect the shapes represented on the exterior. The existing roof pitch was retained and terminated by returning the slope at the ends of the main structure thus forming a vertical wall and containing the form.

Interior private spaces are located on the second floor and include an expansive master suite as well as guest suite and guest bedrooms. Public spaces radiate around the kitchen which forms the core of both the Owner’s use of the house for themselves as well as for entertaining. The entry foyer is low in scale and is adjacent to a two-story stair hall which also creates an entrance to the dining room. Circulation spaces radiating from the foyer connect to the major rooms as well as the garage entrance.

In creating the interior spaces it was my intent to provide both large scale spaces as well as more private ones so that the need of all the occupants could be achieved. Natural light was also an important design element. Windows are typically grouped to focus both the room as well as to enhance or block views. Large window seats with significant windows are twisted to focus views as well as to animate the spaces through elements which are at acute angles to the main structure. Cabinetwork also plays a role in creating surfaces and shapes which complete the interior forms.

Materials chosen reflect the horizontal aspect of the architecture. Grooved horizontal siding unbroken in its installation and mitered at the corners emphasizes the forms. Alternate colors of this material also break down the structure into more human scale forms. The interior materials include high gloss figured wood cabinetwork grooved for a horizontal expression as well as quarter sawn oak strip flooring and rectangular natural stone and ceramic tile. Colors gradate from a dark toned floor to white ceilings and the contrast between them is used to emphasize the shapes of the architecture.