Buffalo Spree ‘Big Sky’ March 2021

Digital Buffalo Spree March 2021 Issue

Every home has a story

The Owners had admired a painting of the property before they decided to buy it and put a house on it. They wanted a home worthy of the site and one that would be an heirloom for the next generation

This is a classic country house and illustrates many of the principles that we instill in our new construction designs and borrow from traditional precedent

Respond to site and conserve resources

It is oriented to maximize views and natural light, the outdoors is welcomed in. Sunlight moves through the house from day to night.

Space planning is efficient not gratuitous w/ private to public spaces and a mindful sense of scale

There are sightlines through the house so people in it feel connected when in various rooms but it is not wide open, each space has its own character

The front hall is appointed with a built in bench and gracious stairs as was the custom with turn of the century homes; you feel welcome.

the “front door” and back door share the same gracious entry space to avoid the redundancy of a formal front hall that is seldom used

The main rooms are distilled down to the 3 functions of gathering, dining and cooking, formalities of separation are dispensed with for shared light and experience

An old family heirloom sewing table is used as a new ½ bath sink

Pine beams are used to bring the hand of nature inside. The owner created the mantel from a salvaged beam. The owner & architect together went about incorporating history and found and repurposed pieces into the house which makes it rich with layers and authenticity

A reclaimed porthole window is a playful detail.

A salvaged mantel in the principal bedroom

Local craftspeople fabricated and built this home, knotty alder doors, a weathervane, & etched glass doors ,art glass,  built in cabinetry, stairs and millwork, historical Buffalo made wallpaper is used in the powder room & kitchen. Big pocket doors glide at the touch of a finger as all classic old Buffalo homes. Hands of the maker are present

The sheltering swooped roof nestles the home into the landscape & graduates to a human scale at entry

The garage is a footnote to the main house, it does not charade as part of the house and it is not the primary focal point 

The garage makes reference to agricultural precedent with its cupola made by Western NY cupola which offers a beacon to welcome one home and is fitting for the site which is still  hayed for horses living next door.

 

Sean Caputi of B&H designed a custom weathervane working in conjunction w Crosby Ironworks for fabrication

Massing

It brings back the tradition of a house attached by a breezeway that invites a framed” viewshed” & sheltered experience of the landscape as well as  improved air quality for the energy efficient  home.

This keeps the owner in sync with the change of seasons, passing of time and nature, healing to the soul