Bouler Architecture: New Sketches

Bouler Architecture is starting a new project in West Islip, on the Great South Bay. We had a successful meeting last night with our new client, and this is the sketch of the rear, water-facing elevation. The lower curve is a covered, exposed structure that covers the water side patio. Above the patio is the master bedroom balcony. Inside the master bedroom, we are proposing a third level mezzanine, with an interior stair that will also serve to seperate the master bedroom's sleeping area from the sitting room.
We also have wonderful south facing roof over the garage, where we will incorporate a 10KW solar panel system. We are also using a geo-thermal heat pump. Our goal, after intstalling spray in insulation, energy-efficient windows, is to be 80% more efficient... or very close to Zero Energy.

It Isn't the Size of the House

This house in Upper Brookville might beg to differ. Listed at 12 million dollars and boasting 11,000 square feet, this house is a pastiche of architecture styles: Mediterranean, Georgian, Italiante-- you get your money's worth in the finish work alone. Handcrafted clay tile roof, nine marble bathrooms, marble tiled basement, sauna, steamroom-- you get the idea. It's a showpiece for sure.
Last night James and I attended a magazine launch/open house at this residence hosted by Shawn Elliott Real Estate. We were not alone. 300 people turned out to check out the Gatsby-eque scene, replete with models and musicians. It was the perfect setting for people-watching of both those who attended and those hired for ambience. My favorite staging was the couple in the hot tub, who sat in the sweltering water for four hours. Newsday covered the event-- check out their video report featuring our very own James Bouler playing the reporter in a round of Pac-man. (and check out the picture of the wallpaper in the 'game' room-- not an option for your foyer, modernemama!)

I know there is a market for this type of home, and certainly the opulence was staggering. But for me, the house became less of a home in its quest for luxury. Few spots invited me to sit and stay. In fact the best spot in the house had to be the third story observatory, which overlooked the five acres of beautiful gardens and trees. Even at night, it was all about the view, which was the true luxury.

Bayshore, NY: The Big Pour

Imagine yourself a busy architect jetting from one appointment to the next and on the way to the next site visit, you are practically run off the road by a caravan of cement trucks leaving your project. Enter the world of James Bouler. Check out that crane for Pete's sake. The complexity of the floor plan sets the groundwork for the parallel complexity of the roofline, so in order to get to all parts of the foundation on a waterfront job, the concrete had to be suspended overhead. With the rebar in place inside the wall forms, the snowstorm held out long enough for the concrete to be poured and set in time. The house will use a geo-thermal heating system, and the client says with the federal government incentives, it was an economical option.

Post Modern Mediterranean

Bouler Architecture was asked to design an addition to a residence in Huntington, NY, transforming a standard colonial into a post modern Mediterranean villa. After looking through a few architectural history books, several elements prove to be essential to this archtypical style. By integrating the stepped facade and cupola as a central feature to the roofline, the house changes its character. The addition of tower on the end gives the clients the necessary space and balance, but prevents the home from appearing too symmetrical. The real key to the transformation, however, will be the choice of materials and finish.

Befores and Afters

Reality shows have made their fortunes on this basic truism: everyone loves a good makeover. Whether its someone's home, wardrobe, or even their body, viewers hang on until the big 'reveal'. There is something exciting about transformation, and with an existing home, it is a creative give and take to try to use as much of the original structures as possible, as these BDG projects can attest.

Launch Party!

Bouler Design Group hosted a launch party at Teller's Chophouse in Islip, NY to celebrate the publication of Leading Residential Architects, where Bouler Design Group is representing New York. Three of our high-end waterfront homes are showcased in this coffee table book, and many of our friends and clients were on hand to raise a glass to celebrate.