A pre-existing “U” shaped foundation was used as a starting point for the Edgecliff House. The clients wanted a single story house made of forms and materials that would transcend any idea of time or style. A house that was both old and new. Images of Swedish courtyard farmhouses came to mind. Houses that are shaped to create outdoor spaces. Houses with simple yet bold forms. Houses made of durable, natural materials that create a relaxed yet authentic atmosphere.

The new house is conceived as a single, unified building mass that takes the shape of a “U”. The existing foundation, however, jogs and steps in areas that made this difficult. The solution was to span and cantilever the top 3 courses of clapboard wall and roof. By doing this, the overall impression of the house appears as a simple “U” shaped volume. The areas where the foundation jogs become covered outdoor spaces with the appearance of being “carved” out of the overall form. The material palate is kept simple, natural and durable. White clapboard siding walls, cedar shingle roof and zinc metalwork constitute the exterior. The rooms are clad in white 1x6 wood boards with white oak floors.