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Chilmark House
Chilmark House
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Other Projects by Walker Architects, Inc.
Chilmark House
Type
STATUS
Concept
SIZE
1000 sqft - 3000 sqft
This rural Martha’s Vineyard site -- deeply forested and punctuated by smooth glacial boulders -- required critical sensitivity to maintain the beauty of delicate scrub oak trees and woodland ferns while finding a way to work with an adjacent spring-fed marshy lowland. With careful interventions, the lowland was transformed into a naturalized swimming pond in a small clearing, alleviating what might have otherwise been a claustrophobic experience by giving the house a bit of breathing space.
All rooms have views of the pond and enjoy dappled light reflecting from the water’s surface. The house, long and low, sits at grade, with an eye toward the active owners’ request to be able to avoid steps as they age. A simple granite path leads from the driveway along the quiet and relatively opaque north façade to an intimate entryway near the center of the house. From there, living spaces open broadly toward the pond, offering views as well as cross ventilation and evaporative summer cooling. A generous southern overhang shades the interior during the summer but allows passive solar heating during the winter. Super-insulated walls and high-performance glazing reduce heat loss through the building envelope and an efficient heat pump and energy recovery ventilation system, powered by grid-connected solar panels on the roof are tuned to ensure the house runs at net-zero energy use.
Straight grain walnut cabinetry, quarter-sawn oak on the floors and ceilings, and unpainted plaster walls complement the simplicity of the natural surroundings. Weathered cedar shingles and wood plank rainscreen siding on the exterior acknowledge the island’s history and blend discreetly into the surrounding forest.
Conceptual Design by Ruhl Walker Architects, Bradford Walker, principal-in-charge
Added development and visualizations by Walker Architects (successor firm)
All rooms have views of the pond and enjoy dappled light reflecting from the water’s surface. The house, long and low, sits at grade, with an eye toward the active owners’ request to be able to avoid steps as they age. A simple granite path leads from the driveway along the quiet and relatively opaque north façade to an intimate entryway near the center of the house. From there, living spaces open broadly toward the pond, offering views as well as cross ventilation and evaporative summer cooling. A generous southern overhang shades the interior during the summer but allows passive solar heating during the winter. Super-insulated walls and high-performance glazing reduce heat loss through the building envelope and an efficient heat pump and energy recovery ventilation system, powered by grid-connected solar panels on the roof are tuned to ensure the house runs at net-zero energy use.
Straight grain walnut cabinetry, quarter-sawn oak on the floors and ceilings, and unpainted plaster walls complement the simplicity of the natural surroundings. Weathered cedar shingles and wood plank rainscreen siding on the exterior acknowledge the island’s history and blend discreetly into the surrounding forest.
Conceptual Design by Ruhl Walker Architects, Bradford Walker, principal-in-charge
Added development and visualizations by Walker Architects (successor firm)
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