At the former back of the
house, a new “barn” addition now houses an open kitchen and breakfast
area. Composed as a balance and book-end to the original saltbox form,
the addition’s volume seeks to express the organic growth typical of a
New England farmhouse passed through successive generations. The barn is
joined to the living room by means of a new entry that is now the home’s
primary access. At the hub of the re-oriented house, a covered “farmer’s
porch” shelters the entry and helps to gather the elongated composite
facade with a human-scaled focus and a low horizontal gesture to the
still bucolic landscape. The 18th century house proudly addressed the
road, but turned its side to the fields. The 20th-century house sneaks a
peek at the landscape, while maintaining respect fo the road. Now, in
the 21st-century, while preserving a dignified facade to the public, the
house has bloomed toward the fields, and addresses the landscape with a
humble vernacular grace.
2023
National Award
