This project balances the natural and manmade components of a large estate by manipulating the landscape, adding a few generous spaces to an existing farmhouse, and transforming a nearby fire-damaged pool house into an elegant architectural “folly.”
The old farmhouse, which has been added to many times in typical New England fashion, lies at the end of a long drive. Its additions were opposite the building’s approach side, which offers a broad view of a handsome meadow and a forest blazes as if afire during summer sunsets. A large living room was added to the house with a long curving wall of windows facing west. Designed for entertaining and sunsets, the room’s 68-foot length is modulated by an hourglass shape varying in width from 12 to 22 feet, creating spaces for small and large gatherings.
Just north of the main house stands a small pool house structure that had been partially destroyed by fire and subsequently repaired. This modest building stood in full view of the main house’s new living room, so its transformation into something worthy was self-evident. The rejuvenated pool house encloses the adjacent outdoor pool and adds a covered seating area and small kitchen.
A dual orientation of the pool house toward the main house and the entry drive provides the living room with an interesting focus as well as giving the driveway with an end point. The covered seating takes the form of a gazebo facing the house. A new façade three feet from the building’s face is composed of a lattice screen that extends across the old structure’s windows and doors, allowing them to remain unchanged. A centered entry dormer and chimney lock the building squarely onto the axis of the drive, serving as a new focus at the end of an alley of trees.
Photography © Norman McGrath