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Project posted by Eve Isenberg

Ground House

View 10 Photos
Location
Concord, Massachusetts
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Modern
The angle of the addition to the house creates a courtyard. The patio is recycled bluestone from a mid century house nearby.
The angle of the addition to the house creates a courtyard. The patio is recycled bluestone from a mid century house nearby.
Behind the bedroom there is a large closet and gym space which adds further screening from the street.
Behind the bedroom there is a large closet and gym space which adds further screening from the street.
The original house peeks through the bathroom window which can be seen from the bedroom. Views from interior to exterior to interior and out again are inspired from traditional Japanese residential design.
The original house peeks through the bathroom window which can be seen from the bedroom. Views from interior to exterior to interior and out again are inspired from traditional Japanese residential design.
The clients wanted the gas fireplace and a Jotul fit perfectly. The propane tank is in the crawl space under the addition. The custom mahogany light rail which encircles the bedroom area could also be used to mount roller shades.
The clients wanted the gas fireplace and a Jotul fit perfectly. The propane tank is in the crawl space under the addition. The custom mahogany light rail which encircles the bedroom area could also be used to mount roller shades.
The ridge of the butterfly roof lands on posts that are hidden in the bath and closet walls. The bed is from CB2.
The ridge of the butterfly roof lands on posts that are hidden in the bath and closet walls. The bed is from CB2.
The custom vanity is installed under a collection of Light Sticks by Modern Forms, side medicine cabinets and mirrors mounted on wood to create a budget friendly built in look.
The custom vanity is installed under a collection of Light Sticks by Modern Forms, side medicine cabinets and mirrors mounted on wood to create a budget friendly built in look.
A bather can view the wetlands easily. Wheat and green Zellige tile are from Zia.
A bather can view the wetlands easily. Wheat and green Zellige tile are from Zia.
Custom built book shelves create a library out of the hall. Steps down into the primary suite encourage a transition from work to rest.
Custom built book shelves create a library out of the hall. Steps down into the primary suite encourage a transition from work to rest.
The family dog likes the view. Recycled mahogany horizontal clapboard siding was rescued by Upcycle, planed and installed vertically with the original nail holes left unfilled.
The family dog likes the view. Recycled mahogany horizontal clapboard siding was rescued by Upcycle, planed and installed vertically with the original nail holes left unfilled.

Credits

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From Eve Isenberg

These clients were exhausted with fixing their 1960s house that had had multiple difficult additions over the decades. They asked for an escape for themselves into an addition that reflected their style. They gave us total control of the design along with guidance such as: "We like floor to ceiling windows and a wood ceiling." They wanted the addition to stand out as you drive by so we started with a butterfly roof which serves to channel water run off into a dry well which we added. Immediately the project became about the relationship of a structure to the land and weather. The house is surrounded by conservation land and is next door to a farm run by volunteers to bring fresh organic vegetables to people in emergency shelters. The trees and wetlands adjacent to the back yard are beautiful in each New England season. The addition is at an angle that captures views of the farm and the wetlands and screens the busy street and existing house. It is a refuge for the couple after their long work days. It is their grounded tree house.

The siding is mahogany recycled from a nearby house. The bath tiles are Zellige by Zia. The couple needed storage for many books but didn't want them in their bedroom so we turned the hall into a library. The addition steps down from the original house to add to the feeling of being grounded. The angle of the addition creates a courtyard for entertaining. We also removed a chimney and fireplace in the existing family room, adding windows and a stepped mahogany deck leading to the new patio courtyard.