Town Hill

A steep in-town corner lot with an existing ranch house on it was the site for this year-round home for a young family. The existing was removed and replaced with a Cape Cod Cottage and attached wing. The gambrel roofed Cape with individual shuttered windows projects the image of a modest vernacular home high on a hill facing toward the main street while the larger hipped roof wing faces the side street. The wing’s windows are ganged together to better provide light and view from the major living spaces. A projecting bay window over the garage gives prominence to the side facade, but not so much to compete with the main entry facade that includes a small but symbolic entry porch connected to the street by stone steps and a gently curving walk. The main Cape and rear wing are visually distinct because of roof shapes and small jogs in the perimeter walls, while at the interior they are seamlessly integrated into a compact footprint, necessary to fit the program onto the small village property. Three levels of living space accommodate the program efficiently. The upper level is within the roof shapes to minimize bulk and maintain the traditional Cape form, while the lowest level is within the slope except for the garage, which occurs in a vertical board base for the shingled walls above.

Interior spaces are straightforward, but a stair tower pushes out one side to create one tall, dramatic space. Windows facing multiple directions flood the stair with light. Windows throughout the house are generous in both number and size, especially in the main living spaces which have east, south and west exposures maximizing light throughout the day. A breakfast table sits partially within the bay window projecting east for ideal morning light. The upper level primary suite is located for maximum privacy.