A sense of scale was explored throughout the design process. Rooms are slightly larger than expected; the porch is spacious; and windows are moderately oversized and positioned higher than normal for optimal light and expansive views. An abundance of glass was incorporated to bring the feeling of outdoors inside. Not a scrap of space was wasted, inside and out.
No redundant circulating space was tolerated, but wider than normal stairs and landings, and oversized newel posts contribute to spaciousness. Wide interior doorways (eight feet or more) and telescoping and pocket doors allow spaces to be widely opened, or secured for privacy.
Unexpected details delight the senses. A second story “gallery” opens over the kitchen that includes corner and diamond windows, wide sills and window seats with storage. Rich amenities like a warming drawer, hot water dispenser, and central vacuum are provided for comfort and convenience.
The bold red siding is possibly the most arresting feature of the home, successfully combined with oversized dark green shingles.
The new house was thoughtfully designed for energy efficiency. Spray-foam insulation in a 5.5” cavity wall makes the house highly-insulated and stops drafts from infiltrating from the outside. It also serves as an effective sound-barrier, dampening or eliminating street noise and suburban hum.
Water is heated by two on-demand (tankless) water heaters, which flash-heat the water as it passes through the appliance. Advantages of this system are two-fold: 1) no energy is wasted keeping a tank full of water hot when not in use; and 2) it is impossible to run out of hot water.