Lexington Studio
Merit Award // Excellence in Architectural Design, Small Firm
Architect // Archiphernalia
GC // Estes & Gallup
Structural Engineer // Kanayo Lala, PE
Civil Engineer // Fred W. Russell
Landscape Design // Laura Kuhn
Jury Comments
Starting with the massing of a traditional New England gable barn, the jury enjoyed the simple manipulation of this form to create a building that provides northern light, creates views, while allowing for a physical connection to the exterior. All spaces in this project are considered and resolved, not left to chance. The architects have created a wonderful detail in the sliding painting easel - the “painting wall” - acting as an outdoor easel while blocking direct sunlight. We imagine it’s a pleasure to create both inside the painting studio and outside at “the painting wall!” In summary, the project does as the architects intended: create a large impact on a strict budget by focusing on simple but meaningful moves.
Description
The Lexington Studio was designed to provide an artist with a lightfilled and open space to work on the grounds of his home. The two driving design factors were light (both natural and artificial) and views (both interior and exterior). The artist is inspired during the day, but does a great deal of work late into the night. The lighting and window placement are carefully calibrated and the work areas are positioned so that the artist can see his work from different angles of view. To provide more northern light and directed views of the tree canopy, the northwest corner of the gable structure is pulled skyward. To provide a sheltered painting porch facing the garden, the west elevation is pushed inward. In 1,400 sf, the building provides a double-height painting space, a wood shop, a loft space that functions as an office and drawing studio, storage, and a lavatory.
