Featured Projects
Elemental House
ARCHITECT: Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design PHOTOS: Lindsay Selin Photography
This 4,500 sq. ft. house site is perched with breathtaking westerly views to the slopes of Mad River Glen and Green Mountains. The exterior palette is composed of Japanese Shou Sugi Ban siding, board form concrete and natural Hemlock ceilings. The interior is a combination of bright soaring rooms, private cozy retreat spaces and modern-minimalism. The large European windows and doors along with the continuous wood ceilings to the exterior mend the indoor and outdoor living experience.
The Elemental House project tapped a number of regional craftspeople and engineers for the collaboration on many items including a stunning steel and oak staircase, cantilevered concrete deck, locally crafted blackened steel cabinetry, oversized oak entry doors and modern veneer cabinetry. The wooded site has a clean modern landscape of bluestone, river birches and grass plantings with the idea that the lush fern undergrowth will grow back as a transition to the woods.
Annex
ARCHITECT & DESIGN: Birdseye INTERIOR DESIGN: Brooke Michelson Design PHOTOS: Michael Moran Photography
Soaring cantilevers, steel and glass define this studio space for world-renowned sculptor Richard Erdman. Working with Vermont architect Brian Mac of Birdseye Design, Erdman envisioned a space to not only house and display his sculptures but to also reflect the beauty and visual intrigue of his work. The goal was to create a structure that would be as sculptural as it was practical.
Sited on a horse farm among agricultural buildings on a rolling Vermont landscape, the building includes Corten siding, a massive structural steel frame, curved glazing, waxed plaster wall finishes, a polished concrete floor, custom metal pivot doors and a hydraulic overhead door. The outdoor sculpture garden with paddock fencing offers a nod to the agrarian surroundings. Interior designer Brooke Michaelson laid out the lighting to optimize the sculpture display. A Michelson designed and Red House built hemispherical mahogany coffee table adds an additional sculptural element to the studio’s office space.
Key Subcontractors/Partners: Nops Metal Works I Flywheel Industrial Arts I Bernier Plaster I Vermont Eco Floors
Stowe Hollow Contemporary
ARCHITECT: Guzy Architects LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Stimpson Studio, Cambridge, MA PHOTOS: Paul Warchol Photography
Architect Peter Guzy’s first step in designing this Stowe residence was to move in with the family in their current home for a week. The goal was to understand the family routines and the spaces that would complement them. He observed the chaos of getting the kids off to school, sports equipment rounded up, the four dogs fed, the eggs collected from the henhouse, evening fires and regular outdoor cooking.
The result is a home that both fully captures the site’s mountain vista and uniquely meets the needs of the needs of the busy household.The vast expanses of glass create the connection between the outdoors and the indoors. A roof top terrace extends the connection to the bedroom level. Waxed plaster walls and European Oak ceilings and floors warm the interior spaces. Sound-absorbing plaster in the great room assures the space remains acoustically comfortable even in the biggest gathering. A playful egg motif appears throughout. Sand-blasted concrete landscape walls are carried into the indoor space. The chef-grade kitchen is only steps away from the outside barbecue and patio space. A spacious mudroom takes the chaos out of the mornings. A dog kennel area and a henhouse accommodate the pets.
Key Subcontractors/Partners: Architectural and Structural Steel by Nops Metalworks I Cabinetry by Stark Mountain I Mechanical Engineering by L&N Consulting Engineers I Structural Engineering by Artisan Engineering
Timeline House
ARCHITECT: Elizabeth Herrmann Architecture + Design LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Wagner Hodgson Landscape Architecture PHOTOS: Jim Westphalen and Jeremy Gantz
Modern addition to a country family retreat overlooking the Green Mountains, and designed to complement the existing structures, while exhibiting state-of-the-art modern living features and materials. Approximately 4,000 square feet of space plus a spectacular roof-top living area that includes gardens, an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. The exterior composition includes a Champlain Fleury masonry veneer combined with European fiberglass reinforced panel rain screen siding and extensive use of traditional Japanese Shou Sugi Ban treated woodwork for interior and exterior architectural elements. An island made of locally sourced Danby Marble is the centerpiece for the robust kitchen and dining area, carefully designed to entertain and serve large family gatherings and guests. A custom designed and fabricated table by Red House enables a large family to gather in an intimate space.
Careful attention to sound control is integrated into numerous architectural and custom cabinetry features. An elevator and dumb-waiter integrate all four levels of the house, including the lower level spa & gym and roof-top living area. Nearly all the modern cabinetry, and built-in features, are produced by local craftspeople using compositions of recycled composite materials, aluminum veneers and resilient acrylic. The whole house control feature allows remote and simple control of all house features including audio, visual, lighting, automated shades, security and climate control. Meticulous attention and planning to symmetry and alignment is replete throughout all interior and exterior architectural features. Traditional plaster finishes, combined with the moving light from large window and door assemblies, provide soft and brilliant natural day lighting.