Steel Window Restoration Helps Redefine New England Farmhouse
The following article features two project collaborations by Architect Tom Kundig and Designer Rodman Primack, one in Hawaii and the other on Long Island. Dynamic was pleased to have the opportunity to supply the thermally-broken steel windows and doors for the beautiful Long Island project.
It’s always rewarding when you get to work with both a great architect and contractor at the same time.
When they came upon a piece of land in North Fork of Long Island with a 100-year-old house spectacularly sited atop a promontory jutting out into the water, they, with Kundig and Primack, immediately thought, This is it.
Though the house was a mess inside, its traditional New England farmhouse–like exterior had charm. “The shape was great,” says Kundig. “So I said, ‘Let’s try to discover the magic that’s already here rather than tear it down.’ It had great proportions, and I knew we could create a beautiful, grand space.” To do so, they opened everything up to the rafters to make one big perfectly proportioned volume anchored by two monolithic fireplace piers that give the sense of holding the house up.
“Tom had the nerve to blow it all out so that it’s one truly great room,” says Primack.
Their success also boils down to the desire—and the discipline—to keep it simple. “Whenever things start to get complicated, Tom asks, ‘What would a farmer do?’ ” says Primack. “That question always brings us back down to earth.” Adds Kundig, “You can overthink, overengineer, and overcomplicate anything, but you don’t have to.”
Read the entire article and view more photos of this home.
Courtesy of Architectural Digest
- Home Builder: Schuchart Dow
- Architecture: Olson Kundig and Rodman Primack
