Connecticut House Photo, Greenwich Property Architect, Building, CO Residence, Architecture

Connecticut Residence, USA : Greenwich Home

Playhouse, CO, United States of America design by Austin Patterson Disston Architects

post updated April 18, 2024

Residential Playhouse

Greenwich, Connecticut

Design: Austin Patterson Disston Architects

David E. Austin, AIA, partner-in-charge

Connecticut House, Greenwich Playhouse home
photo : David Sundberg/ESTO

December 21, 2007

Connecticut House

Design Focus: An existing large (11,000 s.f.) house on an ample tract of rolling, wooded, rural land punctuated by numerous rocky outcroppings and surrounded by orchards and gardens set the tone of the project. The main house design is classic International Style with a white stucco exterior and flat roofs.

Connecticut House Connecticut House Connecticut House
photos : Durston Saylor

The clients, who have four young children and like to entertain, wanted a “playhouse” which would be separate and somewhat removed from the main house, yet easily accessible and feature an entertainment space with media facilities and an adjacent inglenook with fireplace and view of the adjacent rock outcropping for intimate conversations. The program also included an area for pool and ping-pong, etc., a crafts area, and a media workshop. The clients stipulated that the style of the “playhouse” be compatible with that of the main house and that the same exterior materials should be used. In addition there was a zoning requirement that the new footprint had to follow that of an existing guesthouse, which would be demolished. The interiors were to be informally laid out but simply and elegantly finished.

Connecticut Residence Connecticut Residence Connecticut Residence Connecticut Residence
photos : David Sundberg/ESTO

Design Precedents and Process: One precedent influencing the design was obviously the clients’ requirement that it reflect the style of the existing house. Another was the Italian Renaissance villa tradition with its origins in Roman times of the pleasure house, usually part of a garden, and having no practical purpose other than the giving of pleasure. Examples are pavilions in the gardens of the Villa Lante and Villa Caprarola, both by Vignola. Thus the project became associated in Mr. Austin’s mind with gardens and the processional experience of walking from house to playhouse became an important part of the design and is reflected in the elevated walkway, connecting the playhouse with the second floor of the main house, steps ramp and meandering paths.

The overhanging steel roof unites the party room with the terrace outside and its asymmetric form relates the skewed axis of the guesthouse footprint with that of the main house. In addition to the other recreational functions mentioned above there is a tower lookout from which the whole scene can be surveyed. The main floor interior spaces of the 2,793 s.f. playhouse have Canadian elm floors with walls of cherry paneling and painted skim-coated wallboard. All cabinetwork, window and door casings are in cherry.

Connecticut Residence Connecticut Residence Connecticut Residence
photos : Durston Saylor

Specific Materials: Exterior: exposed painted steel structure, glass walls steel frame, white stucco to match existing residence, fieldstone terrace and wall; roof of lead-coated copper; observatory: teak deck with glass block floor. Interior: party room: Canadian elm floors, cherry wall paneling, cabinets and silk fabric walls; games and crafts room: vinyl tile floor and corkboard paneling; bath: concrete sink; fireplace: concrete surround.

Photographs: Interiors – Durston Saylor ; Exteriors – David Sundberg/ESTO

Connecticut House photos / information from Austin Patterson Disston Architects 211207

Austin Patterson Disston

Location: Greenwich, Connecticut, USA

Northeastern USA Building Designs

Contemporary Northeastern United States Architectural Designs – recent selection from e-architect:

Doris Duke Theatre, Becket, Massachusetts
Architects: Mecanoo
Doris Duke Theatre Becket Massachusetts
renders by Mecanoo and Marvel
Doris Duke Theatre, Becket, Massachusetts

Marlboro Music, Marlboro, Vermont
Architecture: HGA
Rehearsal Studio and Music Library Marlboro Vermont
photo : Albert Vecerka
Rehearsal Studio and Music Library, Marlboro, Vermont

Yale University Art Gallery : Connecticut building

Frank Lloyd Wright House in New England : Zimmerman House Manchester, New Hampshire

Connecticut Building

American Architecture

American Houses

American Architects

American Architecture

Modern Connecticut house : Johnson House, one of world’s great domestic buildings

Additions / photos for the Connecticut Residential Architecture design by Austin Patterson Disston Architects page welcome

USA