This house was conceived with concerted effort to fit in with the surrounding context of a historic Buffalo residential. In style and scale, it presents a façade to match other grand houses on the street. The interior follows some traditional organizational principles, with a formal sitting room, dining room, and study occupying the front spaces of the first floor. A grand stair wraps around the central hall, marking the transition from traditional to modern living.
The rear half of the house is treated as one large space which spans the full width of the first floor. The kitchen flows across the primary circulation axis into a family eating area which is central to the space. This table is flanked by an office nook on one side and sitting area on the other. Farthest into the space is a large couch with a gas fireplace and entertainment center.
The main family living space opens onto a covered patio with an outdoor kitchen and built-in wood fireplace. The back yard is a compact urban courtyard, with a pool and play area surround by the garage, plantings, and the main house. The garage is connected to the main house by a breezeway that provide a covered walk to the rear mudroom.
From the rear façade of the house is dominated by a tall vertical tower, which expresses the function of the stair that connects every floor from basement to attic, and breaks the rear elevation into two distinct parts.
The upstairs are the master suite and three bedrooms, all of which are connected by a main hallway which is generous enough in width also be occupied as a shared space on the second floor. The basement holds a large recreation room, theater, wet bar, wine cellar, and guest room.
The project aims to accommodate the many different modes and phases of family life, allowing for formal events, casual day-to-day, recreational activities to all take place under one roof.