Photo: Paul Bardagjy
The garage and other parts of a private residence are clad with mild weathering steel rainscreens. The exterior also has lots of windows, dark wood and, in contrast to the steel and wood, light colored stucco. The materials contributed to one of the design goals for Winchester Architects LLC, to connect and blend in the house with its wooded surroundings. Additionally, mirrors on the garage doors reflect light and the environment. Mahogany trim and black windows add further contrast.
The owners, Dominique and Barbara Levesque, provided general contracting services for the project with their company, Levesque and Co. Dominique Levesque says, “At night, the house almost disappears, and in the daytime too, because of all of the windows and mirrors.”
Fifty, 10-foot-long by 4-foot-wide panels of mild weathering steel were installed. The hot-rolled steel plate was manufactured by Kloeckner Metals Corp. and distributed by Westbrook Metals Inc. The wood siding gets its dark color from a Japanese charring process called Shou Sugi Ban, which preserves the wood.
Inside, the design and materials allow occupants to visually immerse themselves in lush natural landscapes outside windows and doors. The 3,600-square-foot, two-story house has high ceilings, White Oak floors, white walls and abundant glazing. “There is so much natural light, and it can be very silent, almost to the point that you can hear the quietness,” Dominique Levesque says.
Sustainable design and construction were also central to the project. “In our house, we used a ventilated cool roof that floats on a lath, a rainscreen, and a membrane that prevents air and water infiltration,” Dominique Levesque says. “It’s a very breathable system.”
