2006 HOBI Award Winner #1

The in-town Westchester lot slopes down to the head of a beautiful inland lake surrounded by suburban houses. The commissioned house had an ambitious program, and the challenge was to insert this large house into a modest neighborhood. The solution became a study in scale, massing and layering with the subtle use of materials.

The goal was to preserve the scale on the street to relate to the neighboring brick-faced ranches. This was done by setting the main two-story structure down slope and back in the site with two single-story wings that formed the entry courtyard onto the street. The gable ends of the wings extend beyond as site walls completing the entry courtyard. The reduction of scale is continued by detailing walls with hand-made weathered brick that is laid in flush with a matching mortar. Sash and trim color match the brick, and the slate roof weathers to a soft patina.

Conversely, the sun-oriented back of the house opens expansively from three levels onto the pool terrace, lawn and shimmering lake. Arcades and porches protect the glass from the sun, and stainless steel railings, stairs and light-cages accentuated with illuminated marbles animate the façade.

Because of the generous width of the site is perpendicular to the view, the house is French-planned (long and one-room deep) to maximize spaces facing the lake. Not surprisingly, it is reminiscent of Norman manor houses.

The interior is detailed with richly painted wood paneled walls, clear maple flooring, sawn wood-beamed ceilings, exposed brick, and cement plaster fireplaces with distressed stainless steel hearths and surrounds that bounce the glow of a burning fire around the high gloss surfaces. The steel railings and marble-appointed interior light cages and doors were exquisitely fabricated as are the gates to the donut-shapes wine vault surrounding the circular back stair. The plethora of details have been perfectly resolved and coordinated in this marvelously built piece of architecture.


HOBI 2006 Award Winner No 1 Best Custom Home over 10,000 sq. ft. The in-town Westchester lot slopes down to the head of a beautiful inland lake surrounded by suburban houses. The commissioned house had an ambitious program, and the challenge was to insert this large house into a modest neighborhood. The solution became a study in scale, massing and layering with the subtle use of materials. The goal was to preserve the scale on the street to relate to the neighboring brick-faced ranches. This was done by setting the main two-story structure down slope and back in the site with two single-story wings that formed the entry courtyard onto the street. The gable ends of the wings extend beyond as site walls completing the entry courtyard. The reduction of scale is continued by detailing walls with hand-made weathered brick that is laid in flush with a matching mortar. Sash and trim color match the brick, and the slate roof weathers to a soft patina. Conversely, the sun-oriented back of the house opens expansively from three levels onto the pool terrace, lawn and shimmering lake. Arcades and porches protect the glass from the sun, and stainless steel railings, stairs and light-cages accentuated with illuminated marbles animate the façade. Because of the generous width of the site is perpendicular to the view, the house is French-planned (long and one-room deep) to maximize spaces facing the lake. Not surprisingly, it is reminiscent of Norman manor houses. The interior is detailed with richly painted wood paneled walls, clear maple flooring, sawn wood-beamed ceilings, exposed brick, and cement plaster fireplaces with distressed stainless steel hearths and surrounds that bounce the glow of a burning fire around the high gloss surfaces. The steel railings and marble-appointed interior light cages and doors were exquisitely fabricated as are the gates to the donut-shapes wine vault surrounding the circular back stair. The plethora of details have been perfectly resolved and coordinated in this marvelously built piece of architecture.