Hillside House

As featured in Montclair Magazine, Fall 2008 and Designer Doors...

A stately home perched high on the hillside was hiding a rear yard with an unrealized potential. The rear yard had been taken over by the blacktop and retaining walls. The existing detached garage was abutted against the hill on one side and did not provide adequate space for automobile storage. The lower yard was used for vehicle circulation and the upper yard was difficult to access. This created two undesirable areas of the site and an underutilized garage.

Before

The client requested a new kitchen, family room and two-car garage. Clawson Architects saw this as a wonderful opportunity to engage the landscape and make a soft transition to the hillside. The solution engages the landscape with a traditional barn-like structure. The lower level is a two-car garage and the upper level resulted in a bonus room that allows direct access to the upper yard. The stone base of the barn-like structure is integrated with the site retaining walls that wrap the rear yard and create a patio area complete with outdoor kitchen and fireplace.

After

The new garage and room above are connected to the existing home with a transparent structure — housing a modern kitchen. The kitchen is flanked by windows and French Doors providing framed views of the landscape. Access to the kitchen and garage from the parking court is through a back hall complete with mudroom, powder room and laundry room. The minimalist kitchen is light and airy with flush cherry cabinets, granite countertops and a large stainless steel island. The Pietra di Cardosa kitchen floor transitions seamlessly to the bluestone patio. Bracket details, carriage house doors, and cupola add the stately details that one would expect as they round the main house to the parking court.

Before

After

View the design process for this project.