High Point

Associationism in architecture is the idea that qualities from objects can be transferred to—and expressed to the viewer through—buildings. Architectural theorist Charles Jencks and artist Madelon Vriesendorp famously showed how buildings could be coded to have such association with a pine cone, or a tri-corner hat, or Marilyn Monroe’s billowing skirt, or more. Applying this fascinating idea to a relatively modest house is fun and yields a design that is a pleasure to see and to use. Different people will make different associations but nearly all will feel the urge to smile.

A curve in the front façade makes the house interesting and fun for the coastal community in which it sits.

Project Category	Neighborhood
Scope of Work	Architecture, Construction
Finished Space Above Grade	2,773
Photography	Brian Vanden Brink

Outdoor living space and open lawn are at the south side of the house. The tug is permanently docked above Nantucket Sound.

A fire blazes and windows glow on a late summer evening at PSD's "High Point" project.

When glowing at night the pilaster entasis and arch create a “baroque” shape in the space between them.

High Point sits at the crest of a neighborhood that slopes gently up from Nantucket Sound on the south side of Cape Cod.

Peeks of the ocean are visible from the first floor and yard. A panorama is visible, in some cases over the rooftops of lower houses, from the second floor. Except for the projecting porch and bay, the plan is a simple rectangle, with small front and side entry porches cut into it, and topped by a dramatic gambrel roof. A curve in one portion of the roof is small in extent but big in impact on the character of the front façade. A chimney pipe near the back of the house is surrounded by a cylindrical wood and copper stack.

Dining, screened-in porch, and entry hall revolve around the kitchen. Ceiling paneling defines spaces within the larger space.

Fireplace, storage, light from two directions, a window seat, and colorful furnishings enliven the living space.

An arcade provides some separation between the living room and the kitchen/dining spaces, while still keeping it open for socialization.

The screened-in porch has three exposures and just enough space for socializing. It is a small but important indoor/outdoor space. The flat yard beyond is just big enough for family play.

Dining, screened-in porch, and entry hall revolve around the kitchen. Ceiling paneling defines spaces within the larger space.

Fireplace, storage, light from two directions, a window seat, and colorful furnishings enliven the living space. The primary bedroom occupies the spot on the site with the best possible view. Its projecting bay window sits partially over the screened porch below, which also projects to receive three sun and air exposures. The dramatic cathedral ceiling along with the view from the wraparound windows give the bedroom the feeling of being on the bridge of a grand ocean liner, even though the exterior form of the house is more like a modest tug boat.