Austin Patterson Disston Architects

Oct 2012

Situated on a secluded lot in Quogue and offering views of the bay from its rooftop terrace, this new modern house is composed of a series of stacked rectangular volumes that loosely form an L-shape. Clad in tongue-and-groove horizontal cedar and punctuated by square and rectangular windows, the house features multiple glass doors on the ground level that slide into the wall. All public spaces: living room, dining room, family room and kitchen flow seamlessly onto the ipe wood terrace and lap pool. Above are three bedrooms, the library and a second-floor roof garden, all of which provide access to the rooftop terrace. Ground source heat pumps, an extremely well insulated envelope, and solar panels are some of the elements that provide this 3,400 square-foot house with sustainable and efficient energy.

Quogue, NY

Sep 2011

Set prominently on a hilltop in New Canaan, this property, originally a dairy-farm, has long been a cherished location. In this ambitious renovation our client sought to respect the values imbuing the pastoral setting by creating a world that, in its beauty and serenity, binds people to nature and the earth. The 9,950 square-foot main house, a Colonial Revival, was totally renovated and significantly expanded. The front porch was extended to allow access from guest parking; a new screen porch added; and a rear addition built for the new kitchen, breakfast room, family room, pantry and master bedroom suite above. Many interior spaces were altered to create a more open main stair-hall with sitting area, guest bedrooms with baths, and third-floor spaces for exercise and painting. The trim system is both simple and elegant, in keeping with the existing structure. All building elements: insulation, windows, doors, etc. focus on efficient, sustainable energy. The site was also extensively renovated. Pesticides were scoured from the land, which now bears organic produce; the apple orchard has been restored; in every season a roof garden and greenhouse are rich with vegetables and herbs; all structures are fully insulated with ecologically sound materials; high-grade doors and double-paned windows create a tight envelope in all buildings; solar panels heat and cool the fresh-water pool; a natural filtration system replaces the need for any chemicals; geothermal wells provide air-conditioning and heating; eight wind turbines augment electrical usage; water cisterns collect rain water for irrigation; and an original barn, circa 1850, was meticulously dismantled and rebuilt from the inside out, creating a fully modernized structure graced by its original interiors, preserved intact.

New Canaan, CT

Jan 2012

Perched on a secluded wooded hill, this new house pays homage to 18th century Georgian architecture while clean contemporary lines situate it squarely in the 21st century. A hilly drive leads to a courtyard surrounded by a brick knee wall, lending the 6,000 square-foot house a sense of place. Formal arrival spaces are complemented by informal ones in the rear, ideal for our clients and their young family. Two symmetrical wings on either side of the main entrance provide a beautifully balanced structure. The house is clad in buck joint clapboard, a neoclassical treatment that creates an unbroken, elegant facade as well as a textural contrast to the clapboard-clad wings.

Greenwich, CT

Jan 2002

Set on a stunning waterfront site, a peninsula that enjoys 270 views, this new 8,600 square-foot Shingle Style house was designed to take full advantage of the water views and provide a suitable setting both for family life and large numbers of guests. The rooms are aligned like a strand of pearls: the more private section of the house lies to the east and includes a guest suite and octagonal library; the more formal gathering spaces occupy the middle portion; and the large family room, kitchen and screened porch lie to the west with easy access to the pool and terrace. All areas enjoy water views. The six-bedroom house has a central double-gabled volume flanked on either side by a pavilion. A one-car garage is set within the main house, but a 2,000 square-foot Shingle Style barn houses the main garage. This post-and-beam structure also contains a wine vault, game room and storage area.

Quogue, NY