House On Punkinville Road / Norelius Studio

Nov 2010

Uploaded by Andrew Rosenberg — Filed under: Houses ,Selected , New York, Norelius Studio, USA, Wood

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Architects: Norelius Studio
Location: Punkinville Road, New York, USA
Structural Engineer: Albert Putnam
Project area: 2,464 sqm
Project year: 2008
Photographs: Sandy Agrafiotis

The genesis of this project came from the clients, a couple who had lived many years in a treasured 19th century cape, and who sought a significant change in lifestyle. Their deep appreciation of that cape and its particular relationship with its site made them realize that their new site–a spectacular inland promontory on ledge, juniper, and blueberries with extensive views—required a very different architectural solution.

diagram

The concept that evolved was a perpendicular stacking of two simple volumes. This allowed a relatively small footprint on a pristine site, and also created useful negative space—a carport below, and an expansive deck above. Furthermore, it guaranteed that the house took advantage of the entire site, ensuring each space its own particular, appropriate relationship to sun, passive solar gain, and views.

The plan is simple and rigorous, based on the module of a single prefabricated window unit that is used throughout. The entirely-wood structural system was edited and refined to allow speed and clarity in the construction process. The sober expression of the house responds intentionally to the climatic demands of the site, and is clad humbly in white cedar shingles, the most traditional of New England building materials, and exactly what was used on that cape built a century and a half ago.

The priority on the interior was to create calm spaces deeply influenced by the seasons and weather. The clients consistently prioritized clarity and generosity of space over luxurious finishes and fixtures. A simple palette of concrete floors, gypsum board walls and medium-density-fiberboard cabinetry makes up the great majority of all surfaces in the house. A remarkably low construction cost was achieved because of the clients’ ability to prioritize goals, the design team’s search for simplicity in both aesthetics and construction techniques, and the builder’s ability to propose alternative, less expensive solutions for aspects of the building.

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: © Sandy Agrafiotis

: plans

: diagram

* Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.

Cite:
Rosenberg , Andrew . "House On Punkinville Road / Norelius Studio" 08 Nov 2010. ArchDaily. Accessed 26 May 2012. <http://www.archdaily.com/86940>

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æon says:

The tiled wall finishing is a great detail, they remember me the chilean southern houses, in Chiloe.

# November 9, 2010 at 00:24

bernard says:

aeon the tiled wall is actually timber shingles (there are slate and artificial ones available too). They were quite popular in the arts and crafts period to cover walls. the way they work is one shingle over the other and the water just slides off them without getting underneath.

http://www.google.com.au/images?um=1&hl=en&biw=1239&bih=886&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=timber+shingles&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

# November 9, 2010 at 16:11

up_today_arch says:

Back side view with only one window is fantastic…

# November 9, 2010 at 04:24

JJ says:

I love everything about this house. Nice work.

# November 9, 2010 at 09:32

BM says:

Nice project! What type of wall shelf units are used in the bedrooms / living rooms?!

# November 9, 2010 at 09:41

Ted says:

The shelving system is similar if not ISS Designs Hardware http://www.issdesigns.com/

# November 9, 2010 at 15:11

Scott says:

I like that the house is appropriately massed and exposed to it’s environment. It captures the right views and protects itself from the harsh winters of upstate NY. Very good contextual approach.

# November 9, 2010 at 11:03

sudark says: