Naturally Modern MetroWest Boston, MA
Naturally Modern MetroWest Boston, MA

West Coast Modern in New England

This house, with its zinc-clad overhangs and emphasized horizontality, is settled into—and inspired by—the rural New England landscape. The home and its accessory buildings are situated on thirteen acres of exposed granite ledge and shaded by mature conifers. Echoing the horizontal plains of the building are two ponds, including Skating Pond. As with many properties in the area, the grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

Every aspect of this house west of Boston has been considered in terms of how it relates to the natural world. Working with renowned design architect Brian Hemingway of Vancouver, Flavin Architects collaborated on the design and served as Architect of Record for the Renovation and reconstruction of the existing 1987 house. Ron Herman designed the surround, and the Landscape Architect of Record was Zen Associates. Shrub filled terraces, stairwells, and young deciduous trees create a through-line between the house and its surrounding landscape. The home itself uses a restrained palette of stone, natural finished wood, and zinc to further enhance its connection to the land.

large exterior fireplace on terrace
exterior corner of home glowing at night in the woods
exterior of home across from a pond glowing at dusk
landscaped front entry terrace with ledge and birch trees

Colin and Howard struck the delicate balance between guiding their client and listening to their client. They were then able to translate the concept into a design. The result was stunning. The West-of-Boston home is one of the premier homes in the area!
GENERAL CONTRACTOR

Though the owners are ardent art collectors, they did not build their home to showcase specific works; the real artists here are architects Hemingway and Flavin. So deft were they at inviting nature into their creation that, from certain angles, it can be hard to tell where the outdoors stops and starts.
"Positively Beaming," Robb Report: Home and Style, 2015
built-in cabinets with recessed tv and fireplace below
indoor swimming pool surrounded by glass
exterior of home from terrace glowing inside at dusk
stone surround hot tub built into ledge
cad drawing floor plan of exterior walls

Credits

Design Architect

Brian Hemingway Design

General Contractor

Thoughtforms

Landscape Design

Ron Herman Landscape Architect

Landscape Architect

ZEN Associates

Interior Designer

Pembrooke & Ives

Civil Engineer

Columbia Design Group

Structural Engineer

Siegel Associates

Mechanical Engineer

Sun Engineering

Surveyor

Snelling & Hamel Associates

Structural Steel

Kelley Welding

Windows + Doors

Architectural Openings

Wood Finisher

Wayne Towle Master Finishing

Lighting Consultant

Sladen Feinstein Integrated Lighting

Millwork

Kochman Reidt + Haigh

Herrick & White

Custom Lighting Artist

Carrie Gustafson

Photographer

Peter Vanderwarker Photography

Related Projects

corner glass and metal buildingcorner glass and metal buildingcorner glass and metal building View Project: Glass House In The Garden

Glass House In The Garden

Modern Bonsai Greenhouse

copper clad home with stucco and glass additioncopper clad home with stucco and glass additioncopper clad home with stucco and glass addition View Project: Glass Modern

Glass Modern

Modern House Reinvented

rear exterior of home with swimming poolrear exterior of home with swimming poolrear exterior of home with swimming pool View Project: Tanglewood Modern

Tanglewood Modern

Berkshires Family Retreat

family room with manarola armchairfamily room with manarola armchairfamily room with manarola armchair View Project: Brae Burn Modern

Brae Burn Modern

Warm Modern in Newton