4,940 sq. ft.
Sands Point, New York, United States
MARK DuBOIS ARCHITECTURE
Photos © Chris Cooper
Project team: Mark DuBois, Principal
www.boishaus.com
> TRANSFORM A DARK 1950s RANCH HOUSE AND GIVE IT THE OPENNESS OF THE 1950s CASE STUDY HOUSES, WITH WALLS OF GLASS AND A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE LANDSCAPE.
THOUGH THIS SMALL 1950s HOUSE WAS OUTDATED AND POORLY INTEGRATED WITH THE PROPERTY, THE OWNERS SAW THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE GENEROUS SPACES FOR COOKING, LIVING AND ENTERTAINING BY EXPANDING THEIR HOME OUT INTO THE LANDSCAPE.
“Small 1950s houses are usually torn down and replaced with oversized Mc-Mansions that have no connection to the landscape or the site. While the original house itself was very outdated, it was well sited on a beautiful oneacre property, with a large open lawn hidden in the back, and the owners saw an exciting opportunity to create a house that expands out into the landscape.
The owners’ goal was to have comfortable, open, light-filled spaces for both small and large family gatherings, along with generous outdoor living areas suitable for cooking, dining, entertaining, and daily living. The design strategy to accomplish this was to create a house with two distinct parts. The original house was completely reorganized to accommodate the “private” spaces—bedrooms, bathrooms, study, and office. A new glass pavilion was added for the more “public” areas—entry, dining, kitchen, family room, and living area. The glass walls on three sides make it feel like you’re outside even in the winter. New outdoor cooking, living and dining areas further extend the house out into the property.
The aesthetic challenge was how to join a pristine glass pavilion onto a dated and non-descript suburban house. The solution was to transform the exterior of the original house with refined horizontal cedar siding and sleek, flush aluminum windows and doors that complement the new glass addition. Together the renovation and addition capture the owner’s desires for simplicity, elegance, openness and a strong connection to nature.”
Existing floor plan
A. |
Entry |
B. |
Bedroom |
C. |
Bathroom |
D. |
Closet |
E. |
Hall |
F. |
Linen closet |
G. |
Master bedroom |
H. |
Master closet |
I. |
Master bathroom |
J. |
Living room |
K. |
Dining room |
L. |
Utility room |
M. |
Porch |
N. |
Garage |
O. |
Laundry room |
P. |
Kitchen |
Q. |
Den |
While the original house had become very outdated, the layout worked very well for the new uses. The interior was stripped down to the wood frame walls and roof and all new wiring, plumbing and heating were installed.
New floor plan
A. |
Entry |
B. |
Bedroom |
C. |
Bathroom |
D. |
Closet |
E. |
Hall |
F. |
Mudroom |
G. |
Master bedroom |
H. |
Master closet |
I. |
Master bathroom |
J. |
Living area |
K. |
Dining area |
L. |
Study |
M. |
Powder room |
N. |
Garage |
O. |
Laundry room |
P. |
Kitchen |
Q. |
Family room |
R. |
Pantry |
The spaces were reconfigured so the original living and dining areas became the master suite, the two smaller bedrooms became two guest bedrooms with en suite bathrooms, and the kitchen became the study.
The dining and family room areas are defined by a wood volume that separates the two while maintaining the sense of light and openness. The original, small interior kitchen was replaced with a new one in two parts: a more private preparation space that can be closed off, and a generous public space with an inviting and expansive island for cooking, entertaining and eating.
To create the openness that is not possible in the original 1950s ranch-style home, a 2,000-squarefoot pavilion projects out into the landscape with glass on all sides to connect the house with nature.
Credits
Architect: Mark DuBois Architecture
www.boishaus.com
General contractor:
Ira Parr / Jescorp Construction
Landscape architect:
Steven Tupu / terrain
www.terrain-nyc.net
Lighting designer:
Carrie Hawley / Horton Lees Brogden Lighting Design
www.hlblighting.com
Structural engineer: Nat Oppenheimer / Robert Silman Associates
www.silman.com
Appliances and Materials
Appliances: Wolf cooktop, Sub-Zero refrigerator, Miele ovens and dishwasher
Bathroom cabinets: Custom
Ceramic tile: Bizazza and Ann Sacks
Countertops: “Bleu de Savoie” limestone
Exterior decking: Ipe
Full height glazing and glass doors: Arcadia and Centurion by Windorsky
Kitchen cabinets: Valcucine
Paint: Benjamin Moore
Stone flooring (interior and exterior): Basalt
Stacked stone: “Grigio di Tunisi” limestone
Windows: Panorama
Wood flooring: American walnut
Wood walls: American walnut