Award level: Award
Project name: LM Guest House
Project location: Dutchess County, New York
Firm name: Desai Chia Architecture
Jury comments: Handsome and charming, this guest house sits very lightly on the land. The design is subtle, with elegant, clean details. The designers have taken a simple interior courtyard and made it refreshing. The structure relies on four steel columns embedded in the wooded core with a roof that cantilevers out from the columns. This elegant solution uses the minimum amount of materials to achieve expansive, open living spaces at both ends of the house. Decisions made relative to location and technology double its value as a space. The plinth is raised off the ground, the glass is triple glazed, and rainwater is carefully managed. The entire facade was prefabricated offsite, shipped in a single crate, and was erected in two days. We loved the juxtaposition of concrete with refined woodwork. Sharp beautiful bunk rooms made us want to nap in one.
Client: Private
Contractor: Daniel O’Connell’s Sons
Consultants: Ove Arup & Partners; The Salamone Group (formerly known as Tucker Associates); GeoDesign; Paggi Martin DelBene; Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates; Christine Sciulli Light + Design; James R. Gainfort AIA Consulting Architect