Pettaquamscutt River Residence - Guest House

North Kingstown, RI, United States

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Pettaquamscutt River Residence - Guest House

North Kingstown, RI, United States

Firm

3six0 Architecture

Type

Residential › Private House

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2015

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

BUDGET

$100K - 500K

Photos

Bob O'Connor (9), Jack Ryan (3)

The homeowners, a couple with a teenage boy, approached the architects with the request to create an in-law residence on their property for his aging parents. Having previously worked with the homeowners for the renovation and addition to the main house in 2011, the architects were very familiar with the family and the existing property. The modest sized living space would be an extension of the main house and embody the values of the family in its design, quality, and material palette.

After reviewing the site and zoning requirements, the existing two bay garage structure with attached tool shed was chosen as the site of the in-law residence. The area of the existing structure was slightly smaller than the maximum area allowed by zoning for an in-law residence (1,000 sq.ft.) and met the requirement that it be connected to the main house by wall or roof. The location of the south facing structure offered wonderful unobstructed views across the landscaped yard and down to the Pettaquamscutt River.

A new garage and tool shed is to the west of the in-law residence. This new garage location is better suited for the existing driveway and allowed the removal of the pre-existing paved parking area by the main house and its replacement with landscaping and entry walkways enlarging the current yard.

The new garage architecturally extends the “wing” of the main house through the continuation of gable form roof profile that begins over the home office. The wing, measuring 117’ in total length, is broken into three related yet distinct program masses – garage/tool shed, in-law residence, and home office. Zoning setback requirements dictated that the garage/tool shed be a separate structure from living areas with a gap of 5’. The existing cross gable roof was also removed from above the open breezeway between the living area and home office creating the second gap.

Western red cedar linking elements bridge the gaps between the different masses and relate to the vocabulary of the main house. A horizontal cedar screen wall creates a covered open air entry porch at the link between garage and in-law residence. The red cedar extends to frame the large picture window opening of the living room and create an overhang for the south facing glazing.

A second red cedar linking element forms the roof and wall treatment for the covered entry to the home office. The entry way frames a view to the river and through to the backyard. A cast bronze bell from the homeowner’s collection of Japanese antiques hangs from the ceiling.

The interior was designed with simplicity in mind for the homeowner’s parents to enjoy the rest of their years. The space will also eventually be converted to a guest residence for visiting friends. The living spaces are ADA accessible with no steps and rooms are all interconnected with wide pocket doors that are left open most of the time.

The open living area is anchored by a pigmented textured plaster wall with gas burning fireplace and a 13’ wide full height picture window opens to the river. A wall of built-in maple bookshelves displays favorite objects collected over the years; antique radios for him and woven baskets for her. The small kitchen alcove opens onto the living room with a table height countertop surface that services as the dining table.

The living space extends behind the fireplace wall with a small desk and study area on the south and a sitting nook with television to the north. The tiled bathroom is fully accessible with a curbless tile shower with double glass French doors. The bedroom can be reached from both the sitting area/bath and the study. A window seat frames the view of the meadow behind the property.

MATERIALS

Exterior: vertical grain western red cedar siding, white cedar shakes - painted, wood trim – painted, and clad wood windows.

Interior: plaster – painted, maple flooring – clear finish, white lacquer kitchen cabinets, birch maple built-in shelving, pigmented textured plaster, and ceramic tile.