2.25.22 | DIGS.NET 39
P R O F I L E | C L B A R C H I T E C T S
"Warm, light, and rustic in character, the wood wraps up the walls
to the ceiling and continues outside, particularly in the home's
living space, which is anchored by a cast-in-place concrete
fireplace," James says.
The natural tones of the finishes echo the surrounding environ-
ment, creating visual harmony between architecture and nature,
and between inside and out. Complementing the peaceful
atmosphere, the simple furniture pieces have a modern look
that combines with vibrant accents of bright reds and yellows.
The eclectic array of objects and artworks reflects the personality
and taste of the owner, who is the former director of exhibits at
the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh.
"Our best projects are developed with fully engaged clients who
appreciate the design process and challenge us to push our
creative limits," James confesses. "This [house] was a perfect
example of an ideal client/designer collaborative relationship."
That doesn't mean that the project was easy, however. "The
bigger design challenge [implied] resolving the forms for the
house, the garage and the potting shed so that each had their
own identity and harmonized on site," remembers James. "The
initial design process was approximately 12 months before
breaking ground."
Inspired by the separate but connected forms of a dogtrot barn,
the house comprises a main volume, which is oriented along an
east-west axis, allowing the living spaces to take full advantage
of southern light. Located in the secondary volume, the garage
is linked to the main volume by "a heroic porch, which serves to
unify the masses, signal entry, and provide a sense of welcome
and shelter," describes James. "In the open breezeway between
the forms, an aperture in the roof lightens its mass and creates a
focal point, inviting dynamic play of light. This […] simple house
carries a strong presence in its truth to form, materiality, and its
environment." clbarchitects.com
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