A couple with grown children and grandchildren has owned a large lakeside property on the edge of a meadow for decades. Seeking a central hub for family gatherings, they envisioned creating a warm and inviting home base.
The clients envision a modern full-time home that doubles as a welcoming space for gathering, celebrating, and creating memories. Emphasizing natural elements, the design optimizes heating, ventilation, light, and views—using sun exposure and strategic shading wherever possible.
Utilizing a virgin, twelve-acre parcel once used as an old sheep farm pasture, this unique Cape Cod property offers 500 feet of pristine pond edge—a favored spot for visual, physical, and experiential access. With farm property to the north, a meadow to the south, and woodlands to the east, the challenge was to develop an elevation that reveals the house approach while framing expansive pond views through the trees. The home is strategically located to capitalize on these surroundings, resulting in a six-bedroom residence that feels spacious for gatherings yet perfectly livable for a couple.
The Site: HSLA located the house at the meadow’s edge to capture a direct view of the pond’s sweet spot. An entry drive winds through the trees along the meadow, leading to an entrance that nestles into the sloping terrain, where walls and grading create defined activity spaces.
The Architecture: The design features a series of gabled structures linked by flat roofs that serve as a communal gathering area and a visual divider between the pasture and pond. This continuous roof creates a unified circulation path, while a lower-level walk-out offers family-oriented living spaces with direct access to outdoor amenities.
The result is a unique reflection of the client that will serve as a place of gathering for generations to come. This design masterfully blends modern innovation with natural beauty, creating inviting spaces that seamlessly connect indoors and outdoors. Thoughtful spatial planning and an emphasis on family traditions ensure that every area of the home fosters warmth, comfort, and celebration. Ultimately, this residence stands as a living legacy of cherished memories and enduring togetherness.
GF Architecture offers complete architectural design services. Our scope of services is refined to the requirements of each project. In addition to architectural services, we also provide site analysis and property planning consulting.
GF Architecture offers full-service custom residential and light commercial architectural design for clients throughout eastern Massachusetts –including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket –and Rhode Island.
