PRIVATE RESIDENCE, BEDFORD HILLS NY

A modest renovation

All

Residential

Completed in 2018 the Bedford Residence consists of a private residence with a detached garage and existing guest house. Our initial task was to renovate the existing home at the edge of the property, close to the road. The modestly sized home is backed up to the sloped site, precluding anything other than an addition parallel and close to the well-traveled road. The 6-acre sloping site was once an orchard and is still populated with specimen apple and pear trees. It became immediately apparent that building a new home atop the hill made the most sense.

Backstory
An existing swimming pool, halfway up the slope formerly occupied the back yard of the existing house. The addition is now oriented so the pool area is related to the family room and connecting covered porch. What could have been a “tail wagging the dog” solution, the new structure is sited as if the pool location was intentional. The long, sweeping driveway that gradually negotiates the hill terminates in a courtyard defined by stone walls and the three-car garage. The swimming pool area is surrounded by tall privet hedges that creates a private outdoor room. The linear planned home is oriented on an east-west axis, with most of the primary living spaces facing south. The first-floor spaces are ensuite, connecting through a series of aligned openings resulting in long vistas from one end of the home to another.

Context
A six acre gradually sloping site bordering a land trust.

Nuts & Bolts
Despite its size, the home is modest. The garage includes an unfinished second floor that was intended to be finished. The Town’s zoning regulations have a broad reach and ever since a famous fashion designer was caught with a garage attic apartment housing his live-in Italian Ferrari mechanics, special approvals and permits are needed for any finished above garage space.

What You Don’t See
The 100 ft. long tunnel below the courtyard that connects the main house with the garage. The tunnel was requested by the owner to make the unattached garage virtually attached.

Best Use
Weddings, parties, any indoor-outdoor celebratory event that includes large groups of people.

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